Fairfax, Va. – Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning issued the following statement in reaction to news that President Biden’s Department of Defense will celebrate Women’s Equality Day with a 5K run at Scott Air Force Base in southern Illinois, while women in Afghanistan face brutal subjugation at the hands of the Taliban following the disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan:

“Only the Biden Department of Defense could announce their commitment to women’s equality and diversity while having a stand down order for U.S. troops in Afghanistan who could be rescuing women allied with America against the terrors of the Taliban. Americans pay over $700 billion each year for a military that protects freedom, both domestic and abroad.

“The unwillingness of the Biden administration to use that military to rescue Americans trapped in Afghanistan, effectively sentencing them to death, is an astonishing betrayal of the sacred trust they have been given to represent our nation around the world.

“The sad fact is, American-allied Afghan women are running for their lives while the Pentagon is hosting a fun run for privileged American women. This should not be misconstrued as a criticism of our troops on the ground in Afghanistan who are doing all they are allowed to do to save lives. If their bosses in D.C. had that same courage and commitment to freedom, we would not be fleeing in Afghanistan in an imposed retreat.”

For media availability contact Catherine Mortensen at 703.478.4643 or cmortensen@getliberty.org.