Biden alum seeking Mike Lawler's NY swing seat ripped for ties to botched Afghanistan withdrawal

A Biden administration alum running for Congress is facing sharp Republican criticism over her role in the botched U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Conley has sought to elevate her profile in a crowded Democratic primary by highlighting how Russia banned her from the country for her work under Biden, and she's used campaign materials to lean into how she operated from the White House Situation Room.

The chaotic and violent exit led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and more than 160 Afghans in a terrorist attack outside the Kabul airport during the final days of the military departure. Hundreds of American citizens were left behind as the Taliban returned to power.

"That's her record and if she wants to run on it, she should have to answer for it and apologize for it," Lawler campaign spokesman Ciro Riccardi said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Why should Hudson Valley families trust her judgment on national security now?"

A spokesperson for the Conley campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment seeking clarification on her involvement in, and view of, the withdrawal decision and plans. 

Still, her team has leaned into Conley's national security experience as a cornerstone of her campaign platform.

The National Republican Congressional Committee, House Republicans' campaign arm, argued that Conley's ties to the withdrawal are disqualifying.

"She can't be trusted to keep New Yorkers safe either," NRCC spokeswoman Maureen O'Toole said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "It's just that simple."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment and the DNC did not reply by time of publication.

Conley has not commented publicly on the withdrawal since launching her bid for the Hudson Valley seat.

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest as a "toss-up" after downgrading the race in favor of Democrats in January.

Conley is a combat veteran who served for 16 years as an active-duty Army officer. Following her stint as director for counterterrorism on the NSC, she served as a senior advisor at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency until January 2025.