Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX) took Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to task during a recent hearing, drawing a stark admission about the state of America’s safety under the Trump administration.

Fallon’s pointed questioning revealed significant disparities between the Trump and Biden administrations’ handling of national security, particularly regarding Afghanistan and Russian aggression. Fallon’s interrogation cut to the core of the matter, pressing Austin on the contrast in casualties between the two administrations.

“Prior to Joe Biden becoming president in the prior 18 months, how many Americans did we lose in Afghanistan? How many military service members?” Fallon asked, to which Austin stumbled, admitting, “Very few. I’d have to go back and check the record.” Fallon swiftly clarified, “I think it’s exactly zero.”

The exchange continued to shed light on the perceived shortcomings of the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions, particularly in Afghanistan. Fallon highlighted the chaos of the withdrawal, noting, “And then we lost 13 lives under this administration’s watch. 5,000 prisoners broke out of Bagram. We left billions of dollars worth of equipment. The Afghan army disintegrated within two weeks.”

Fallon’s interrogation didn’t stop there. He drew a sharp contrast between the relatively stable international landscape under Trump and the challenges faced under Biden.

“Did Vladimir Putin embark on any new foreign adventures in those four years?” he questioned. Austin conceded, “He didn’t, but…” Fallon seized on the admission, asserting, “So I think that if we were more concerned with our military projecting power and not worried about personal pronouns, it would be better for the American people and quite frankly the free world.”

The fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal and the escalating crisis in Ukraine under Biden’s watch underscore the gravity of these issues. Fallon’s interrogation encapsulated broader criticisms within the Republican Party about the Biden administration’s approach to national security, highlighting concerns about its impact on America’s safety and global stability.