Secretary of State Antony Blinken is answering questions today at a congressional hearing on the debacle in Afghanistan.

Now, this is just started, and there will likely be a lot to say as they continue this, but he didn’t start off well.

The first thing that everyone noticed was that Blinken didn’t even actually show up for the hearing in D.C., despite the fact he’s in D.C. Instead, he appeared on Zoom to answer questions, not appearing in person. Why? Did he not dare to face people in person?

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT PERRY: "Can you tell us where you are today?"

BLINKEN: "Yes. I'm at the State Department."

PERRY: "Couldn't be bothered to come down here and see Congress? Alright, that's great." pic.twitter.com/PmTB86uRaW

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 13, 2021

Just couldn’t be bothered. Talk about obnoxious.

Then he said that he expected the Taliban to ensure basic rights, despite the fact that they are not doing that now, and he’s claimed they would hold them to it, as though he had anything to hold over them. This makes him sound naïve beyond belief.

SEC BLINKEN: "We expect the Taliban to ensure freedom of travel, to make good on its commitments on counterterrorism, to uphold the basic rights of the Afghan people including women, girls, and minorities." pic.twitter.com/R28DHpexVR

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) September 13, 2021

The Taliban isn’t even ensuring freedom of travel now, and Blinken’s doing nothing about it.

The most important thing he revealed, which the White House has previously refused to comment on, was the status of the flights that were being held by the Taliban at Mazar-i-Sharif. Some Americans had gotten out on planes from Kabul, and the White House was trumpeting that — while not answering questions about these Americans and Afghan allies that were in Mazar-i-Sharif. Now Blinken basically admits that they are still being held, so yes, he can’t argue that this isn’t a hostage situation anymore.

Secretary Blinken just admitted that the Taliban has blocked American charter flights out of Afghanistan.

This is a hostage situation. pic.twitter.com/KW4keFBQBf

— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) September 13, 2021

He keeps repeating this number which was previously proven wrong. There were at least 142 Americans reported at Maar-i-Sharif, although some of them might have now tried to get out by other routes, given the Taliban hold-up there.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies that there are about 100 Americans left in Afghanistan who have communicated they want to leave the country pic.twitter.com/RSikGIZXUf

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 13, 2021

Blinken refused to answer questions about the reported call between Joe Biden and former Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, where Biden allegedly told Ghani that whether it was true or false, he had to tell the public that they were beating back the Taliban — basically lying and deceiving the public.

Secretary of State Blinken is asked if the transcript is “untrue” where Biden asked the Afghanistan president to lie.

Blinken: “I'm obviously not going to comment on leaked transcripts” pic.twitter.com/hdDNfw5NC3

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 13, 2021

Then Rep. Scott Perry really got down to it with Blinken, asking him some great questions. Did the State Department block any Americans from being evacuated? Blinken claimed not, despite many reports to the contrary. How many Afghans did they evacuate who weren’t SIVs (in other words, how many were evacuated, not because they helped the U.S. but to bump up the numbers and were just refugees, not the people the State Department was supposed to be concentrating on getting out)?

There's a lot here in this fiery back and forth between Pennsylvania Republican @RepScottPerry and Secretary Blinken, so rather than do a massive thread, I'm just going to leave this one here for you all to watch. (1/) pic.twitter.com/1pM8xUuOF2

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 13, 2021

Then Perry made an even deeper dive into whether there was money going as “aid” to Afghanistan, and there was payment to terrorists.

Part two here between @RepScottPerry and Sec. Blinken really dove into whether the U.S. policy of not paying terrorists is still in place, given our negotiations with the Taliban over the last month and how we still want to send aid (e.g. food, water, etc.) into the country (2/) pic.twitter.com/0HPz7fxmON

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 13, 2021

This questions about an interview by the FBI really caused Blinken to melt down. Now, that sounds fascinating.

Annnd here’s what some will argue was a big takeaway…

.@RepScottPerry: “How long was your recent interview with the FBI and was it a deposition?

Sec. Blinken: “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you’re referring.”

Blinken goes on by refusing to comment further (3/3) pic.twitter.com/qDE4etpXrA

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) September 13, 2021

Blinken previously had been reported to have had contact with Hunter Biden through email, asking for advice in 2015, so it’s fascinating if there’s really the FBI investigation of Hunter might potentially be going into this direction with Blinken.