Trump Lays Wreaths at Arlington, Accuses Biden and Harris of Afghanistan Withdrawal Failures

Former President Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to honor the 13 US service members killed in the Abbey Gate bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal. He criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for not publicly naming the fallen troops, calling the withdrawal a "botched" and "worst foreign policy debacle in American history."

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to pay his respects to the 13 service members killed in the Abbey Gate bombing outside the Kabul airport during the Afghanistan withdrawal. Biden and Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, were notably absent.

The ceremony marked the third anniversary of the Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing, which killed the US service members and over 100 Afghans. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Trump Lays Wreaths at Arlington, Accuses Biden and Harris of Afghanistan Withdrawal Failures

Trump's campaign released a statement blasting Harris and President Biden for allegedly failing to publicly say the names of the troops killed three years later.

"Three years ago today, 13 U.S. service members were killed at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan — the crescendo of the botched Harris-Biden Afghanistan withdrawal, which ranks among the worst foreign policy debacles in American history," the Trump campaign said. "Three years later, Kamala Harris still hasn't said the names of these 13 heroes out loud — not even once."

Trump Lays Wreaths at Arlington, Accuses Biden and Harris of Afghanistan Withdrawal Failures

The statement further criticized Biden and Harris for not holding anyone accountable for the failed withdrawal and leaving billions of dollars worth of US equipment behind for the Taliban, who quickly retook the country.

"It also set the stage for America's enemies around the world to become emboldened, yielding far-reaching consequences that reverberate across the globe yet today," the statement added.

Trump Lays Wreaths at Arlington, Accuses Biden and Harris of Afghanistan Withdrawal Failures

Trump accused Harris of having a key role in the disastrous withdrawal, claiming she bragged about being the last person in the room for the fateful decision and laughing when asked about American citizens trapped in Afghanistan.

"Now, the families of the fallen — ignored by Harris and Biden — are still waiting for answers, three years after the worst moment of their lives," the statement said. "It didn't have to be this way — and it will never happen again under President Trump."

Trump Lays Wreaths at Arlington, Accuses Biden and Harris of Afghanistan Withdrawal Failures

Biden and Harris released separate written statements recognizing the three-year anniversary, each listing the names of the fallen troops.

Harris mourned the service members and honored their sacrifice, saying, "These 13 devoted patriots represent the best of America, putting our beloved nation and their fellow Americans above themselves and deploying into danger to keep their fellow citizens safe."

Trump Lays Wreaths at Arlington, Accuses Biden and Harris of Afghanistan Withdrawal Failures

She pledged to fulfill the obligation to care for troops and their families and protect the American people and homeland.

Biden stated that he carried a card every day listing the exact number of American service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, including those killed in the Abbey Gate bombing. He emphasized the importance of remembering the immense price paid for freedom.

The Biden administration has faced criticism for the Afghanistan withdrawal, with some top US generals saying the administration inadequately planned and failed to keep a sufficient force to provide backup during the evacuation.