A former staffer for Georgia’s 9th Congressional District reflects on the intense pressure and moral weight of coordinating with constituents during the chaotic U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan last year, describing the experience as a defining moment of service. Now advising a different Republican representative in the state, the adviser recounts how the office became a hub for urgent inquiries as the crisis unfolded, highlighting the logistical and emotional strain of assisting Americans and allies caught in the withdrawal. The account offers a behind-the-scenes look at how congressional offices mobilized during a high-stakes national security operation, blending political responsibility with humanitarian urgency. For those interested in the human side of legislative crisis management, this firsthand perspective provides rare insight into the challenges faced by staffers on the ground.
Jessica Hayes said serving in Georgia’s 10th Congressional District during the chaotic and deadly U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan in August 2021 was a “holy calling.” Now a senior adviser working in the 9th District for Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.), Hayes was working for former Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) when the office started getting calls from...
