On the third anniversary of the deadly Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan, a video of Vice President Kamala Harris has resurfaced, sparking controversy.

The video, from a CNN interview in April 2021, shows Harris confirming she was the last person in the room before President Biden decided to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

As reported by Fox News, this revelation has led to renewed criticism from conservatives and Gold Star families.

The suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021, resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and over 100 Afghans.

Vice President's Role In Afghanistan Decision Scrutinized

In the CNN interview from April 2021, Harris was asked if she was the last person in the room when the Afghanistan decision was made.

She confirmed this, stating she felt comfortable with the decision. This admission has now come back to haunt her, with many conservatives sharing the video on social media platforms.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other prominent Republicans have used this video to criticize Harris's role in the decision-making process.

Some, like Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick, have directly linked Harris's presence in that final meeting to the tragic outcome at Abbey Gate.

Radio host Tom Shattuck suggested that Harris should answer questions about her role, noting her recent avoidance of interviews and press conferences.

Gold Star Families Express Grief And Anger

Mark Schmitz, father of fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz spoke out against both President Biden and Vice President Harris. He stated:

She owns this as much as he [Biden] does. She's following in the policies that Joe Biden has ushered in during his presidency and obviously, neither one of them know what the heck they're doing. And that terrifies me, because we know we can't bring our kids back. But what we want to see is the military that is out in the field right now – those families are never going to be put through what we've been put through. It's been absolutely shameful.

Shana Chappell, mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui also expressed her anger towards the administration, directly blaming them for her son's death.

Vice President Harris Issues Statement On Anniversary

In response to the anniversary, Vice President Harris released a statement honoring the 13 service members who lost their lives.

She listed their names and pledged to "fulfill our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families" and "always honor their service and sacrifice."

Harris defended the administration's decision to end America's involvement in Afghanistan, stating that President Biden made "the courageous and right decision to end America's longest war."

She also highlighted the administration's ongoing efforts to counter terrorist threats without deploying troops into combat zones.

Ongoing Debate Over Afghanistan Withdrawal Decision

The resurfacing of Harris's 2021 interview has reignited debates about the administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Critics argue that the decision-making process was flawed, leading to unnecessary loss of life.

Supporters of the administration, however, maintain that ending the war was the right decision despite the tragic events that unfolded during the withdrawal. The National Security Council has previously commented on Biden's "gratitude" for U.S. service members and their families.

This anniversary serves as a painful reminder of the human cost of policy decisions. As the nation remembers the 13 service members who lost their lives, the debate over the Afghanistan withdrawal and its execution continues to be a contentious issue in American politics.