Image credits - Fox News
Advertisement
On the third anniversary of the Kabul airport attack that claimed the lives of 13 American service members, President Joe Biden remained on vacation with no public remarks or events scheduled. This absence contrasts sharply with Biden’s earlier criticism of former President Donald Trump for canceling a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in 2018.
Biden had previously used Trump’s canceled trip as a point of criticism. In June, Biden visited the cemetery in France and took a dig at Trump, who had cited poor weather conditions for canceling his visit. Biden posted on X, “I was honored to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and pay my respects to those buried there. Those who served our country are heroes—not losers,” alongside a video critique of Trump.
This past Monday marked three years since the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate, during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Critics, including Rep. Debbie Lesko and Rep. Andy Biggs, have condemned Biden for being on vacation rather than participating in memorial activities. Biggs remarked, “Three years ago, Biden-Harris’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal caused the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. President Trump attended the ceremony in their honor at Arlington Cemetery today. Biden is on vacation.”
Gold Star father Mark Schmitz expressed disappointment but not surprise at Biden’s absence from the anniversary events. The White House did issue a statement honoring the fallen service members, but Biden’s lack of personal attendance drew criticism.
The president’s current beach vacation is his second of the month, following a previous stay in Santa Barbara during the Democratic National Convention. White House National Security Council communications adviser John Kirby defended the paper statement, stating that no action could fully repay or support the families affected by the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating the service members lost in Afghanistan. The event included Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance and members of Gold Star families, emphasizing the contrast between the two leaders’ responses to the anniversary.