Former President Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan, while Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement honoring the fallen service members but has been absent from public memorials.
Former President Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, marking the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal that killed 13 U.S. service members. The ceremony was attended by family members of the fallen soldiers, with whom Trump met and listened to taps.
Trump has consistently criticized the Biden administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, calling it the "most embarrassing moment" in U.S. history. In a Truth Social post on Monday, he criticized the withdrawal process and accused the Biden administration of gross incompetence and leaving behind American soldiers and equipment.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members at Arlington, Harris Issues Statement But Skips Public Memorials
Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement on Monday morning honoring the 13 U.S. service members killed in the Abbey Gate bombing. In the statement, she mourned their deaths and called on Americans to "come together as one nation to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice three years ago."
However, Harris has been conspicuously absent from public memorials or events on the anniversary of the service members' deaths. Fox News Digital reached out to Harris' campaign and vice presidential office regarding her plans to honor the service members during live events, but received no response.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members at Arlington, Harris Issues Statement But Skips Public Memorials
President Biden also honored the 13 fallen service members in an early morning statement, praising their bravery and commitment. He stated that they "embodied the very best of who we are as a nation" and that the country owes them a "sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay."
Critics have accused the Biden administration of mishandling the Afghanistan withdrawal, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and the abandonment of hundreds of Americans and Afghan allies. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has stated that the withdrawal paved the way for adversaries such as Russia to invade Ukraine.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members at Arlington, Harris Issues Statement But Skips Public Memorials
Harris has confirmed that she was the "last person in the room" with Biden before he made the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. She has also stated that she was "comfortable" with the operation that ultimately turned deadly and chaotic.
Families of the service members killed in the Afghanistan withdrawal have criticized Biden and his administration. During the Republican National Convention, Cheryl Juels, the aunt of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, accused Biden of "gross incompetence" and called on him to apologize.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members at Arlington, Harris Issues Statement But Skips Public Memorials
On the anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, Trump has repeatedly honored the fallen service members and their families, including speaking at the Republican National Convention and inviting them to the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
While Trump has actively honored the fallen service members through public events, Harris has only issued a statement and has not participated in any public memorials. Kirby defended the Biden administration's actions, stating that they are working to support the families of the fallen and injured service members behind the scenes.
Trump Honors Fallen Service Members at Arlington, Harris Issues Statement But Skips Public Memorials
