Trump Slams Harris and Biden on Afghanistan Withdrawal’s 3-Year Mark

Former President Donald Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday morning, commemorating the third anniversary of the Kabul airport attack that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.

Following the ceremony, Trump addressed the National Guard Association during its annual conference in Michigan, a crucial battleground state. During this event, he received an endorsement from former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who serves as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has been deployed to Iraq and Kuwait.

The chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 remains a significant point of contention among conservatives, who continue to criticize the Biden administration. Trump has consistently condemned President Joe Biden’s management of what he called a “botched” exit, describing it as an “embarrassing” episode for the United States. Recently, he has expanded his critiques to include Vice President Kamala Harris, acknowledging her as a rival in the upcoming 2024 election.

During his speech at the National Guard Association, Trump claimed, “The humiliation in Afghanistan, caused by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world.” He suggested he would have handled the withdrawal in a significantly different manner.

Trump offered heartfelt remarks about the service members who lost their lives during the Kabul attack, stating, “We will never forget those brave warriors who made the supreme sacrifice for our country. They will live in our hearts forever.” He pledged to honor their memory by working towards restoring a government that prioritizes the American people.

On the same day, Vice President Harris released a statement honoring the 13 service members who perished when an ISIS-K terrorist detonated a suicide bomb at the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport amidst evacuation efforts following the Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan. The bombing took the lives of at least 170 Afghan civilians as well.

Harris emphasized the exemplary nature of the fallen soldiers, declaring that they “represent the best of America,” as they put their country and fellow Americans above themselves while engaging in danger to keep others safe. She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the welfare of troops and their families, promising to always honor their service and sacrifice.

The Vice President also justified Biden’s choice to end what has been referred to as “America’s longest war.” In her statement, she stressed, “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 asserted her resolve to take strong actions against terrorist threats to safeguard the American people.

Harris has previously indicated that she was involved in key decisions alongside Biden, including the decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Notably, Trump aimed to initiate a troop withdrawal in his final days in office, with his administration negotiating a peace plan with the Taliban that included a withdrawal date of May 1, 2021. Biden ultimately proceeded with a September deadline for the troop pullout.

Top officials have testified before Congress regarding the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan, revealing regrets about how it was executed. On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that he will present the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously on September 10 to honor the 13 service members lost in Kabul. These medals represent Congress’ highest civilian honor and will be bestowed upon their families.

In his own statement, President Biden reiterated that the 13 Americans who died at Abbey Gate embodied “the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless.” He expressed our nation’s obligation to the service members and their families, acknowledging that although this debt may never be fully repaid, the nation will continuously strive to fulfill it.

He emphasized the importance of remembering the high cost of freedom, urging that each beloved service member lost was an individual who left behind families and communities. Biden concluded by asserting that we must collectively work to be worthy of their ultimate sacrifice.

Source: ABC News