Biden Digs In to Defend Afghanistan Exit, Says Chaos Was Inevitable

President tells ABC News troops could stay past his deadline
Biden says U.S. also seeking to evacuate Afghan allies

WATCH: President Joe Biden warns the Taliban not to attack Americans trying to leave Afghanistan. (Source: Bloomberg)

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By Justin Sink and Josh Wingrove

August 18, 2021 at 8:55 PM UTC

Updated on

August 18, 2021 at 10:48 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

President Joe Biden said U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan until all Americans are able to leave the country -- even if it takes longer than his Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw.

“If there are American citizens left, we’re going to stay to get them all out,” Biden told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News in a Wednesday interview.