Vice President Harris Under Fire for Afghanistan Withdrawal, Trump Slams Absence

Vice President Kamala Harris faces criticism for her role in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, with former President Donald Trump joining the chorus of condemnation. The Biden administration insists the president remains in charge, but his public absence on the anniversary of a deadly attack has raised questions.

Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire for her role in the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan, as critics highlight her alleged influence on President Joe Biden's decision-making that led to the chaotic evacuation and loss of American lives.

Former President Trump has joined the chorus of condemnation, slamming Harris for her absence on the three-year anniversary of the deadly Abbey Gate suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members. Biden and Harris have been criticized for not publicly acknowledging the names of the fallen soldiers, a fact that the Trump campaign has repeatedly emphasized.

Vice President Harris Under Fire for Afghanistan Withdrawal, Trump Slams Absence

The administration has maintained that Biden is in charge of the country despite his extended vacation, with National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby stating that the president is "very much in command" and closely monitoring events. However, Biden's public absence on the anniversary of the bombing has raised questions about his level of engagement.

On the anniversary of the attack, Biden released a statement listing the names of the service members killed but notably remained out of public view. The move has drawn sharp criticism from relatives of the fallen, who have accused the president of disinterest in their loss.

Vice President Harris Under Fire for Afghanistan Withdrawal, Trump Slams Absence

Biden has faced criticism for his extended vacation at a time when the Middle East remains unstable. Despite vows to end the Gaza war, the president has spent the past week vacationing in Delaware and California.

His absence has sparked concerns about who is actually running the country, with one journalist at a White House briefing questioning whether Biden has become a "ceremonial figure." Kirby dismissed these concerns, asserting that the president remains engaged and closely monitoring events overseas.

Vice President Harris Under Fire for Afghanistan Withdrawal, Trump Slams Absence

Former President Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery alongside relatives of the fallen soldiers killed in the Abbey Gate bombing. The Trump campaign has used the occasion to criticize the Biden-Harris administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, emphasizing the lack of public statements by Biden and Harris honoring the victims by name.

The administration has defended its handling of the withdrawal, stating that the evacuation was the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in U.S. history. Both Biden and Harris have issued statements remembering the victims and emphasizing the end of "America's longest war."

Vice President Harris Under Fire for Afghanistan Withdrawal, Trump Slams Absence

However, the statements have been met with skepticism by critics who point to the chaotic nature of the evacuation, the loss of American lives, and the alleged abandonment of equipment and personnel. The administration has maintained that the withdrawal was necessary and done in the best interests of the country.

The controversy over the Afghanistan withdrawal and Harris's alleged role continues to be a topic of debate. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the issue is likely to become even more contentious.