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NewsFox News PoliticsMay 6, 2026United States

Congressional Candidate Cait Conley Faces Criticism Over Afghanistan Withdrawal Role

Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley is facing criticism from Republican opponents regarding her past role on the National Security Council during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The controversy centers on her potential involvement in the planning of the evacuation, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 160 Afghan civilians.

electionsnational securityAfghanistan withdrawalcampaign politics
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Why It Matters

Voters in New York's are evaluating the national security record of candidate Cait Conley as she competes in a June primary to unseat incumbent Representative Mike Lawler.

Key Facts

  • Cait Conley served as a senior official on the National Security Council focusing on counterterrorism during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
  • The 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 160 Afghan civilians in a terrorist attack at Kabul airport.
  • The Lawler campaign is demanding that Conley address her role in the planning and execution of the withdrawal.
  • Conley has not publicly commented on the withdrawal since launching her congressional campaign.
  • The Cook Political Report currently rates the race for the Hudson Valley seat as a 'toss-up'.
  • The Democratic primary for the seat is scheduled for June.
  • Conley is a 16-year combat veteran and former active-duty Army officer.
  • Conley served as a senior advisor at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency until January 2025.

Who's Mentioned

personEffie Phillips-Staley“Democratic primary candidate.”personMike Lawler“Incumbent Republican Representative for New York's district.”personBeth Davidson“Democratic primary candidate.”personJoe Biden“Former President of the United States.”personCait Conley“Democratic candidate for Congress in New York's swing district and former Nation”organizationNational Security Council“White House body where Conley previously served.”personCiro Riccardi“Spokesman for the Lawler campaign.”personMaureen O’Toole“Spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.”personJake Sullivan“Former National Security Advisor.”organizationCybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency“Agency where Conley served as a senior advisor until January 2025.”organizationNational Republican Congressional Committee“Republican campaign arm.”organizationHouse Foreign Affairs Committee“Congressional committee that investigated the Afghanistan withdrawal.”