Biden retreats to Camp David leaving unanswered questions on Afghanistan

As Biden withdrew to Camp David, his administration officials were left in Washington to field the lingering questions the president did not address.

At 4:19 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, President Joe Biden concluded a speech defending his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan, tapping his binder on a podium in the East Room of the White House for emphasis. By 4:57 p.m., the presidential helicopter, Marine One, was in the air, headed for the presidential retreat, Camp David. For Biden, there was no looking back. "I know my decision will be criticized, but I would rather take all that criticism than pass this decision on to another president of the United States -- yet another one -- a fifth one. Because it’s the right one. It’s the right decision for our people," Biden declared, leaving no doubt about his stance. But as Biden withdrew to Camp David, his administration officials were left in Washington to field the lingering questions the president did not address: What exactly will be the fate of endangered Afghans struggling to leave the country? And why was the administration so surprised by the speed of the Taliban’s takeover?