In The News
Rep. Jake Auchincloss: Americans never had a strong political partner in Afghanistan
August 18, 2021
Video: US congressman: ‘We had to wrap up a forever war’
August 17, 2021
What went wrong in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan? Two lawmakers weigh in
As more American and allied flights are leaving the capital of Afghanistan Thursday, an ever-growing panic descends on the city. More American troops and marines arrived, but despite U.S. efforts,Taliban fighters are hindering movement toward the Kabul airport, leaving thousands of civilians trapped. With support from the Pulitzer Center, Jane Ferguson reports on the situation in Kabul. Read the Full Transcript Judy Woodruff: And joining us now are two lawmakers with experience … Continue Reading
August 17, 2021
Talking Afghanistan With Congressman Jake Auchincloss
This is the Radio Boston rundown for August 17, 2021. Jamie Bologna is our host. Local reaction continues today after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, and the dramatic scenes of Afghans trying to flee, as American forces hastily evacuated Kabul. Governor Charlie Baker today said in a statement on Twitter that the Commonwealth "is ready to assist Afghan refugees seeking safety and peace in America." Here to talk about the latest on ground and the Biden administration's … Continue Reading
August 17, 2021
Four Capitol Hill veterans split on U.S. pullout
Although Congress is currently in recess, lawmakers have taken to the airwaves and social media in recent days to offer support, recriminations and other commentaries on the U.S.’s departure from Afghanistan after 20 years and the Taliban’s rapid conquest of the country. In interviews with Jewish Insider on Monday, four House of the 74 total House veterans — including two Afghanistan veterans — offered a range of views on President Joe Biden’s approach to the situation. Rep. Brian Mast … Continue Reading
August 16, 2021
Like Biden, Attleboro area congressman blames Afghan government for nation's fall
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a former Marine who led a platoon while serving in Afghanistan in 2012, on Monday put the blame for the catastrophic fall of Afghanistan on its “corrupt” leaders while praising “rank-and-file” soldiers. “I served with Afghan rank and file — they were good soldiers and loyal to their country,” he said in an email to The Sun Chronicle. “But they had no faith in their corrupt leadership — the Afghan president fleeing in the face of the Taliban is an exemplar of the … Continue Reading
August 16, 2021
“A Boondoggle of a Counterinsurgency That Had No Endgame”
The Afghan government fell Sunday in the culmination of a lightning-fast Taliban offensive that met little resistance. The United States, in its last act before withdrawing from the country after a 20-year commitment, has sent thousands of troops to take control of Kabul’s international airport and evacuate personnel. As debates rage about the legacy of the war and the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, the immediate, critical goal is to get lingering Americans, Afghan allies, … Continue Reading
August 16, 2021
Rep. Auchincloss responds to situation in Afghanistan after previously serving there
SEEKONK, Mass. (WPRI) — Over the last 20 years, many of the U.S. troops in Afghanistan were from Southern New England, including Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss. After graduating from Harvard, Auchincloss joined the Marines and commanded infantry in Afghanistan and special operations in Panama. Auchincloss, a first-term Democrat, was a platoon commander in Afghanistan in 2012 at the end of the Obama-era surge and spoke with 12 News as the takeover by the Taliban … Continue Reading
August 15, 2021
Veteran, Rep. Jake Auchincloss: Afghanistan's Collapse To Taliban Is 'Painful' To Watch
BOSTON (CBS) — Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss commanded infantry troops in Afghanistan in 2012. He shares the emptiness that so many fellow veterans and their families feel right now as news from Afghanistan continues to show the Taliban taking control and approaching the capital city Kabul. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Kabul and the U.S. evacuated Americans from the country on Sunday. “As a veteran, it’s painful. It’s painful to think of the Afghan interpreters with … Continue Reading
August 15, 2021
Rep. Auchincloss: Biden Was Given a ‘Series of Bad Options’ in Afghanistan by His Predecessors
EXCERPT: AUCHINCLOSS: "One of the scenarios mapped out to this president was a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. This was conceivable when he made the decision. But he made the tough and high-integrity call to not pass this failed war on to yet another president. He was given a series of bad options from his predecessors and he looked at the situation on the ground and said, 'What do I get for another six months, for another year, another 10, 20 years?' The United States will win every … Continue Reading
August 15, 2021
Mass. congressman Jake Auchincloss calls Taliban takeover of Afghanistan 'distressing, appalling'
BOSTON — A Massachusetts congressman who served the U.S. Marine Corps is calling the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan "distressing and appalling." U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who represents the Bay State's 4th congressional district, spent time in Afghanistan in 2012. He led patrols through villages contested by the Taliban and worked closely with Afghan interpreters. Despite the Taliban advance following the departure of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, Auchincloss does support the … Continue Reading
August 14, 2021
Mass. Congressman Who Served in Afghanistan Says Its Gov't Can Hold Kabul
Congressman Jake Auchincloss, who represents Massachusetts' fourth district, says the United States is making the right move by drawing down our presence in Afghanistan. The Taliban continues to advance towards to capital, capturing key cities along the way. Auchincloss is a Marine veteran who led patrols through villages contested by the Taliban in 2012. He has a unique perspective on the situation happening now in that country. “Now is an emergency, yes, but also an opportunity for … Continue Reading
August 12, 2021
House Democrats introduce resolution calling for 'Marshall Plan' for vaccines
House Democrats introduce resolution calling for 'Marshall Plan' for vaccines Rep. Jake Auchincloss (Mass.) and 21 other House Democrats are introducing a resolution calling on the U.S. to develop a “Marshall Plan” to boost global COVID-19 vaccinations. “Whereas just as the Marshall Plan aided in Europe’s recovery from the devastation of World War II, the commitment of United States vaccine resources can save countless lives and contribute to the recovery of global economies by leading … Continue Reading
August 11, 2021
Take Five: Jake Auchincloss
Jake Auchincloss’ family is both extremely prominent and growing. His ancestors fill history books, and his second child, a daughter, was born only a few days after this interview, on Aug. 6. In the course of this conversation, Auchincloss explained why his Jewish heritage led him to the Marine Corps and shared his thoughts on the U.S. departure from Afghanistan. Along the way, he admitted to being a Shoupista, revealed what his taste in movies was circa 1998 and quoted G.K. Chesterton. … Continue Reading
August 01, 2021
Projects in Attleboro, North Attleboro, Norton and Plainville included in 'minibus' spending bill
Several local projects are part of a multibillion-dollar spending package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, the area’s congressman says. The $600 billion, seven-bill “minibus,” which passed in a 219-208 vote Thursday, would increase budgets at several federal departments, and include millions of dollars for local projects favored by lawmakers, known as “earmarks,” after a decade-long ban on the practice. U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Newton, said in a statement that … Continue Reading
July 16, 2021
Rep. Auchincloss Calls All Political Issues ‘Secondary’ To Voter Protection
Speaking Friday on GBH’s Boston Public Radio, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, a Democrat from Newton, framed voting rights as the most important issue facing Americans at the current moment. “All the good we’re trying to do, whether it’s infrastructure, whether it’s vaccines, whether it’s housing — it’s all secondary to protecting the right to vote,” he said. “What’s happening in states like Texas and North Carolina and Georgia and Arizona, it’s not just suppressing the franchise, which is an old … Continue Reading
July 14, 2021
Congressman Auchincloss Talks Constituent Service, Infrastructure Bill
Massachusetts 4th District Congressman Jake Auchincloss was in Fall River last week holding an open house to meet with city residents. Auchincloss says meeting directly with constituents is one of the best parts of his job…and he is looking to hold similar open houses in all 34 cities and towns within his district. While meeting with Fall River residents he says he hears many of the same concerns. In the coming weeks, Congress will be looking to pass a comprehensive infrastructure bill, … Continue Reading
July 13, 2021
Getting to Know Representative Jake Auchincloss
The experience of reading about Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Representative of Massachusetts's 4th Congressional District (that includes Dover, Medfield, Needham and Newton), is quite different from meeting him. But as one person I know put it, the Representative has “explode[d] a lot of stereotypes.” In chatting with the Congressman, rather than remembering a collection of soundbites, one instead is left with conversation that is marked by knowledge and sincerity. An earnest sincerity … Continue Reading
July 09, 2021
Rep. Auchincloss: The Capitol should be ‘the people's house’
July 09, 2021
Rep. Auchincloss: 'This Is A Political Battle In Afghanistan, Not A Military One'
President Biden has set the date for a full withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending a nearly 20 year war. In a speech yesterday, Biden stated, "I said we would be out by September and we're on track to meet that target. Our military mission in Afghanistan will conclude on August 31st." The withdrawal announcement comes with the message that this is an "unwinnable war," but also with the promise that the U.S. will help the Afghan translators and other allies who the president says will be welcome … Continue Reading