Trump Commemorates 3 Years Since Kabul Airport Attack on US Troops

On Monday morning, former President Donald Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the third anniversary of the tragic Kabul airport attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.

Later in the day, Trump is expected to address the National Guard Association at its annual conference in Michigan, a state that could be pivotal in the upcoming elections.

The chaotic withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 continues to be a significant point of criticism aimed at the Biden administration. Many conservatives, including Trump, have scrutinized the way the situation was handled, labeling it a failure.

During a recent rally in North Carolina, Trump expressed his disdain for President Joe Biden’s management of the withdrawal. He referred to it as a “botched” exit and described it as an “embarrassing” moment for the nation. His criticisms have recently expanded to include Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also expected to be a key rival in the 2024 elections.

“Exactly three years ago this month, the weakness and incompetence of Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden delivered the most humiliating event in the history of our country and one of the biggest military disasters in the history of the world,” Trump stated at the rally.

In a separate statement released on the same day, Vice President Harris honored the 13 service members who lost their lives during the attack. An ISIS-K terrorist detonated a suicide bomb at the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport, where U.S. evacuation efforts were concentrated following the Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan. The bombing killed at least 170 Afghan civilians and injured many others.

Harris emphasized that the fallen soldiers embodied the highest ideals of America, stating, “They put our beloved nation and their fellow citizens above themselves and deployed into danger to keep their fellow citizens safe.”

In her remarks, she reassured that she would honor the service and sacrifice of these heroes. Moreover, she defended Biden’s decision to end “America’s longest war,” asserting that the administration has shown success in combating terrorism without ongoing troop deployments.

“Over the past three years, our Administration has demonstrated we can still eliminate terrorists, including the leaders of al-Qaeda and ISIS, without troops deployed into combat zones,” she remarked, emphasizing her commitment to take necessary actions to protect Americans from terrorist threats.

Harris also reflected on her partnership with Biden during critical decision-making moments, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, a plan that was originally negotiated during Trump’s presidency. The Trump administration had set a deadline for troop withdrawal by May 1, 2021, which Biden extended to September.

Top officials have provided testimony before Congress regarding the turbulent withdrawal, with many expressing regrets over the execution of the plan.

In his own statement, President Biden honored the service members killed at Abbey Gate, calling them a representation of the best qualities of the nation: brave, committed, and selfless. He acknowledged the immense sacrifice made for freedom and the lasting impact on the families and communities of those lost.

Biden concluded by stressing the importance of remembrance, saying, “We must never forget the immense price that was paid for our freedom. We must never forget that each beloved service member we lost was a human being, who left behind entire families and communities.”