Gold Star father Mark Schmitz, whose son was killed in the 2021 Abbey Gate attack, accuses Vice President Kamala Harris of complicity in the tragedy. Schmitz joins a chorus of conservatives marking the anniversary by highlighting Harris's role in the decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
On the three-year anniversary of the deadly Abbey Gate suicide bombing that claimed the lives of 13 American service members and over 100 Afghans, Gold Star father Mark Schmitz has pointed an accusing finger at Vice President Kamala Harris, holding her accountable for her role in the tragedy.
"She owns this just as much as Biden does," said Schmitz, whose son, Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, was among the fallen.
Harris Slammed on Abbey Gate Attack Anniversary: 'She Owns This'
Schmitz's condemnation comes as many conservatives have seized upon the anniversary to criticize the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, with a particular focus on Harris's involvement in the decision-making process.
Four months prior to the attack, Harris confirmed in a CNN interview that she was the last person in the room with President Joe Biden before he made the fateful decision to pull U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.
Harris Slammed on Abbey Gate Attack Anniversary: 'She Owns This'
House Speaker Mike Johnson took to social media to share the infamous clip, while others, including Pennsylvania GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick and Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller, also echoed the criticism against Harris.
"Maybe she should answer a question or two about it," said Tom Shattuck, a radio host, referring to Harris's unwillingness to grant interviews or hold press conferences since becoming vice president.
Harris Slammed on Abbey Gate Attack Anniversary: 'She Owns This'
"Today we mourn the 13 Americans who died because of the Biden-Harris administration, in their awful intel and operational failure at Abbey Gate," tweeted Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.
Trump himself has highlighted Harris's role, stating in a recent rally, "She bragged that she would be the last person in the room, and she was... She was the last person in the room with Biden when the two of them decided to pull the troops out of Afghanistan. She had the final vote. She had the final say, and she was all for it."
The families of the victims have also expressed their anger and disappointment. During the Republican National Convention, some relatives of the slain service members appeared on stage, claiming that Biden had never publicly acknowledged their loved ones.
Despite the mounting criticism, Harris has remained silent on the anniversary, further fueling the growing backlash.
As the nation remembers the fallen heroes of Abbey Gate, the debate over the Biden administration's responsibility for the tragedy continues to rage on, with Harris facing intense scrutiny for her apparent complicity in the decision-making process.
