Ron DeSantis Wants Answers from Pentagon on Cover Up of Afghan Allies Committing Sex Crimes

From his perch as chairman of the U.S. House National Security Subcommittee, U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, wrote U.S. Defense Sec. Ashton Carter on reports that military leadership covered up reports from service members that Afghan allies raped and sexually abused children. 

“Recent media reports claim that our military commanders in Afghanistan have instructed troops to look the other way should they witness crimes against children, including sexual assault and rape, occurring at the hands of our Afghan allies,” DeSantis said on Wednesday. “These allegations are horrific, and if true, absolutely indefensible. ‘Cultural considerations’ should not overrule the importance of defending the human rights of the most vulnerable. I have asked Secretary Carter to detail for Congress exactly where Pentagon policy and enforcement on this issue stands, and he needs to respond promptly. This sad situation requires swift accountability.”

DeSantis is not the only Florida congressman pushing the Pentagon on the matter. U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., called for a congressional investigation of the issue earlier in the week.