Arlington, VA — Former President Donald Trump paid tribute to the 13 fallen American service members from the Biden administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.

According to Breitbart News, 13 service members were killed in a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate at the Kabul International Airport.  The event marked the third anniversary of the deadly Kabul airport attack, which occurred on August 26, 2021. The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the lives lost during the chaotic evacuation.

Trump's visit underscored the ongoing concern over the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal, which was widely criticized for its disorganization and the significant loss of life.

Meanwhile, there was no scheduled event for President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, who is currently running for the presidency in the upcoming November election.

Ceremony Honors Fallen Service Members

Trump laid the wreath and placed his hand over his heart as a bugler played "Taps" in honor of those lost during the Kabul airport attack.

The ceremony was a somber reminder of the sacrifice made by the service members who were killed in the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate at the Kabul International Airport. The attack occurred during a hasty and ill-planned evacuation that followed the Taliban's takeover of the capital.

The 13 American service members who perished that day included Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Cpl. Daegan Page, LCpl. David Espinoza, LCpl. Dylan Merola, Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Army SSG. Ryan Knauss, Marine LCpl. Kareem Nikoui, Navy Seaman Maxton Soviak, Marine SSgt. Darin Hoover, LCpl. Jared Schmitz, and LCpl. Rylee McCollum. Their loss was a tragic consequence of the botched withdrawal.

After the ceremony, Trump visited the tombstone of SSG. Ryan Knauss and called his family, who could not be present. The former president also took the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration for what he described as "gross incompetence" in handling the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Trump's Criticism of the Biden Administration

In a statement posted on his Truth Social account, Trump slammed Biden and Harris, stating that the withdrawal was the "most embarrassing moment in the history of our Country."

He emphasized the loss of 13 American soldiers, the hundreds of people wounded and killed, and the billions of dollars of military equipment left behind.

Trump argued that the soldiers should have been the last to leave, not the first and that the withdrawal had far-reaching consequences, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the attack on Israel.

Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery highlighted the ongoing criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The former president's actions were in stark contrast to the lack of scheduled events for Biden and Harris on the anniversary of the tragic incident. The absence of the current administration from the commemoration further underscored the political divide over the issue.

The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the sacrifices made by American service members. The event also served as a platform for Trump to voice his disapproval of the Biden administration's policies and actions. The former president's visit to the cemetery was widely covered on social media, with supporters praising his actions as befitting a "Commander in Chief."

Impact of the Afghanistan Withdrawal

The Afghanistan withdrawal has had far-reaching consequences, both domestically and internationally. The botched evacuation not only led to the loss of American lives but also resulted in a significant amount of military equipment being left behind. This equipment has since fallen into the hands of the Taliban, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region.

The withdrawal has also had a profound impact on the morale of the American military and the public's trust in the government. The chaotic evacuation and the subsequent criticism have raised questions about the competence and preparedness of the Biden administration. The incident has also been cited as a factor in the ongoing conflict between the United States and its adversaries, including Russia and China.

The ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was a sobering reminder of the human cost of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The event highlighted the importance of honoring the sacrifices made by American service members and the need for accountability in the political and military decisions that led to the tragic incident.

Conclusion

Former President Donald Trump honored the 13 fallen American service members from the Biden administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony marked the third anniversary of the deadly Kabul airport attack, which occurred during a chaotic evacuation that followed the Taliban's takeover of the capital.

Trump's visit underscored the ongoing criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the withdrawal, which was widely criticized for its disorganization and the significant loss of life. Meanwhile, there was no scheduled event for President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris on the anniversary of the tragic incident. The ceremony was a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the sacrifices made by American service members.