Three years after the final American troops withdrew from Afghanistan in a hurried operation, former President Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to honor the 13 service members who lost their lives that day.
Ending the two-decade war in Afghanistan was a major goal for President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign, even as Trump was making the same pledge and had already begun planning for it. However, doubts linger about whether Biden’s decision in 2021 to pull all U.S. forces out before establishing a stable transition with Afghan authorities was rushed.
The chaotic scenes of Kabul airport, overwhelmed with Afghans trying to flee on departing U.S. aircraft, captured public attention. During this turmoil, a suicide bomber attacked, killing 13 American soldiers and around 170 civilians. On Monday morning, Trump paid tribute to those who died by assisting soldiers in laying a wreath at their graves.
Standing behind Trump were the family members of the fallen soldiers, who observed as the former president placed his hand over his heart and stood solemnly while “Taps” was played. The ceremony was broadcast live by Fox News, and influencer Greg Price noted on X that President Biden was spending the day on vacation at the beach, while Vice President Harris had no public events scheduled.
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Trump shared his thoughts on the ceremony in a lengthy Truth Social post. “This is the third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country,” he posted. “Gross Incompetence – 13 DEAD American soldiers, hundreds of people wounded and dead, AMERICANS and BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND. 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.”
The 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan has become a moment comparable to the 2013 Benghazi attack, in which four Americans—Ambassador Chris Stevens, Information Officer Sean Smith, and CIA operatives Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods—were killed. Investigations at the time criticized then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for failing to act on warnings about the impending protests that led to the embassy’s breach.
Trump used this lapse as a key issue in his 2016 campaign. Although the Afghanistan withdrawal has not been as prominent in this year’s campaign, Monday’s ceremony subtly highlighted that it remains a significant vulnerability for Harris, particularly among military veterans and their families. She has said that she is the “last person in the room” with Biden when he made decisions like pulling out of Afghanistan, implying her tacit approval.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.