Rep. Smith: Biden's Afghanistan Withdrawal 'Likely Enabled Putin'

FREEHOLD, NJ — On Saturday, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ 4), who represents Monmouth and Ocean counties in Washington, held a rally outside his Freehold office alongside 100 Ukrainian-Americans.

Those Ukrainians said their family members are in grave danger as Russia invades their nation.

Smith specifically said he thinks the way President Joe Biden handled the troop withdrawal from Afghanistan last year "likely enabled Vladimir Putin to pursue such aggression, ruthlessly slaughtering innocent women, men and children."

Smith also called for immediate and strong international support for the people of Ukraine in their fight against the Russian dictator.

“Now more than ever, the United States and our allies must provide much-needed military equipment and humanitarian aid to the courageous people of Ukraine," said Smith. “Comprehensive sanctions must degrade Putin’s capacity to wage war,” said Smith. “Putin— and other Russian leaders responsible for these crimes against humanity — must be prosecuted as war criminals.”

Over the weekend, Biden instructed the U.S. State Department to release up to $350 million worth of weapons from U.S. weapons supplies to Ukraine.

Smith, who has authored four laws promoting democracy in Eastern Europe, has a reputation for personally intervening to help those endangered by Russian aggression in Eastern Europe: When Russia invaded Georgia in 2008, Smith helped secure the safe return of two young girls from his New Jersey congressional district and several others stuck behind enemy lines.

Smith represents the Fourth Congressional District, which covers nearly all of Monmouth County, including towns such as Holmdel, part of Middletown, Colts Neck, Rumson, Manalapan, Freehold, Red Bank and Wall Township. The Fourth District also reaches into Jackson and Lakewood in Ocean County and Hamilton and Robbinsville in Mercer County.

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