President Joe Biden addressed his decision to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan within the next five months (watch above):

“US troops, as well as forces deployed by our NATO allies and operational partners, will be out of Afghanistan before we mark the 20th anniversary of that heinous attack on Sept. 11th but we will not take our eye off the terrorist threat,”

The president also clarified his decision on Twitter writing, “We went to Afghanistan because of the horrific attacks on 9/11 that happened 20 years ago. That cannot explain why we should remain there in 2021. Rather than return to war with the Taliban, we have to focus on the challenges of the future.”

CNN reports that Biden spoke with former President George W. Bush yesterday to tell him about his decision to withdraw troops. They quote the president as saying: “While he and I have had many disagreements over policy throughout the years, we’re absolutely united in our respect and support to the valor, courage and integrity of the women and men of the United States armed forces who have served.” 

Former President Barack Obama is also reacting to the decision.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also put out a statement backing the president’s decision.

After talking about his decision today, the president visited Arlington National Cemetary in Virginia to visit the graves of U.S. troops who were killed in Afghanistan.