GOP Rep. Under Fire After Comments On Unvetted Afghan Refugees Resurface

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GOP Rep. Under Fire After Comments On Unvetted Afghan Refugees Resurface

Trending Politics News
By Cullen McCue
November 28, 2025

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) — who is currently running in a crowded Republican primary field to replace retiring Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) — is facing criticism over resurfaced comments in which he argued in favor of bringing Afghan immigrants to the United States.

The clip was highlighted by Barr’s opponents after two West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot by 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the country under a Biden-era refugee resettlement program following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

One of the wounded soldiers, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday afternoon, prompting the Justice Department to file first degree murder charges on which they will be seeking the death penalty. The second wounded soldier, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, is currently fighting for his life in a D.C. hospital as of this report.

Rep. Barr is facing criticism over comments he made on an August 26, 2021 appearance on “Congressional Update,” in which he argued that the United States has a moral obligation to provide special immigrant visas to Afghan allies who assisted American forces. The congressman argued that failure to do so would damage U.S. credibility with global partners.

“We owe them to help them get into our country with these visas… I voted for these special immigrant visas because it would send a terrible message to allies around the world that we’re going to abandon you if you help us in your time of need.”

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https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/gop-rep-under-fire-after-comments-on-unvetted-afghan-refugees-resurface-cmc/