The third anniversary of the tragic Kabul airport bombing is a stark reminder of the consequences of poor leadership. President Biden and Vice President Harris took to their respective platforms to honor the 13 American service members who lost their lives during the last chaotic days of the Afghanistan withdrawal. While the noble sacrifice of these patriots cannot be overstated, it is hard to overlook the elephant in the room: the administration’s catastrophic handling of the withdrawal that led to their deaths.
Both Biden and Harris released statements identifying the heroes—brave men and women whose names now echo in infamy. Yet, it seems their tributes are more platitudes than meaningful acknowledgments. The President highlighted a personal ritual of carrying the names of service members in his wallet, mirroring a reassuring yet hollow sentiment of remembrance. Meanwhile, Harris, in an effort to rally her base, attempted to paint a picture of patriotism. But the undeniable truth is that these declarations serve as a distraction from the blunders that defined the withdrawal.
Three years ago today, 13 American heroes were killed in the Harris-Biden botched Afghanistan withdrawal.
To this day, Kamala Harris has never mentioned these fallen soldiers' names.
President Trump will never forget them. pic.twitter.com/UHRNvTCyfV
— Team Trump (Text TRUMP to 88022) (@TeamTrump) August 26, 2024
The Trump campaign wasted no time in calling out these empty gestures. A video surfaced showing family members of the fallen service members recounting the gut-wrenching moments they learned about the bombing. A pointed aspect of the footage bore witness to Biden checking his watch during the dignified transfer of their remains—a spectacle that many deemed inappropriate and insensitive. Three years later, Biden may think the tide of time has washed away the stains of his administration’s blunders, but families of the fallen are still grappling with the reality that Kamala Harris has yet to verbally honor these heroes.
The failures didn’t stop with mere acknowledgment; they led to a broader loss of American standing on the world stage. The rushed exit left thousands of Americans behind alongside equipment worth billions, practically delivered on a silver platter to the Taliban, who quickly reinstated their tyrannical regime. The fallout from this debacle has sent ripples across global geopolitics, emboldening enemies of the United States. In the race to forget these bitter truths, Harris’s laughter during a press exchange about American citizens left in Afghanistan stands out as a reminder of the administration’s lack of accountability and empathy.
Biden and Harris have systematically ignored the families of the fallen, leaving them in limbo while they parade their hollow remembrances before the cameras. As the political climate shifts, the families are still without answers, and the anniversary of this avoidable disaster serves as a rallying cry for those who recognize the dire need for accountability. Contrast this with President Trump, who made it a point to honor the soldiers by laying a wreath at Arlington and extending sincere acknowledgments rather than empty words. His unequivocal stance suggests that under his leadership, such failures would not be tolerated and that America would reclaim its dignity in both leadership and military strategy.
As the nation reflects on this somber anniversary, it becomes increasingly clear that mere proclamations of patriotism cannot mask a track record of negligence. The hope remains that the lessons learned will pave the way for a more disciplined approach in the future—one that champions the brave men and women of the military, not just in remembrance, but in action.