Former President Donald Trump stated on Monday that the Biden-Harris administration was guilty of “gross incompetence” in their handling of the “botched” withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump’s remarks were made on the third anniversary of the deadly ISIS bombing attack that occurred on August 26, 2021, at the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. This tragic attack resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and 170 Afghan civilians.
This is exactly how to negotiate with groups like the Taliban. pic.twitter.com/HEBLFPr7j3
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) August 22, 2024
“This is the third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country. Gross Incompetence — 13 DEAD American soldiers, hundreds of people wounded and dead, AMERICANS and BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “You don’t take our soldiers out first, you take them out LAST, when all else is successfully done. Russia then invaded Ukraine, Israel was attacked, and the USA became, and is, a laughing stock all over the World.”
This is the third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country. Gross Incompetence – 13 DEAD American soldiers, hundreds of people wounded and dead, AMERICANS and BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) August 26, 2024
President Biden also issued a statement on the anniversary of the attack, commending the service and sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.
Let’s all observe a moment of prayerful silence today in remembrance of the thirteen American service members and roughly 200 Afghan allies and civilians who lost their lives in the Abbey Gate bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan three years ago… pic.twitter.com/Zd6SYGGQQj
— BlackRifle Co (not coffee) (@BlackRifle_Co) August 26, 2024
“These 13 Americans—and the many more that were wounded—were patriots in the highest sense. Some were born the year the war in Afghanistan started,” he said. “Some were on their second or third tour. But all raised their hand to serve a cause greater than themselves—risking their own safety for the safety of their fellow Americans, Allies, and Afghan partners. They embodied the very best of who we are as a nation: brave, committed, selfless. And we owe them and their families a sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay, but will never cease working to fulfill.”
Three years ago today, American service members enduring some of the most unimaginable conditions of the entire GWOT during our chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, were attacked at Kabul Airport’s Abbey Gate. pic.twitter.com/BSeB8YG1Dh
— Black Rifle Coffee (@blckriflecoffee) August 26, 2024
The soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the bombing were Marine Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Marine Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Marine Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss.