Biden vague on Afghanistan endgame after pledging to 'hunt down' Kabul terrorists, stick to withdrawal

President Biden’s remarks following deadly terror attacks at Kabul’s airport suggested U.S. activities in Afghanistan could continue beyond the Aug. 31 deadline for a permanent withdrawal of U.S. troops, raising further questions about what the administration sees as the current parameters of its mission.

"These ISIS terrorists will not win. We will rescue the Americans there. We will get our Afghan allies out and our mission will go on," Biden said during his speech. "America will not be intimidated. And I have the utmost confidence in our brave service members who continue to execute this mission with courage and honor to save lives and get Americans, our partners, our Afghan allies out of Afghanistan." Biden has faced immense pressure from lawmakers to complete evacuation operations regardless of his deadline. The president pledged to move forward with evacuation flights despite the bombing, asserting that U.S. officials have sufficient time and resources to evacuate all Americans who wish to leave Afghanistan by Aug. 31.