Gold Star families of U.S. service members killed during the Biden-Harris administration's chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal criticized the lack of accountability from the White House, highlighting that Donald Trump was the only leader to attend the memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery.
On the third anniversary of the deadly Abbey Gate bombing during the Biden-Harris administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gold Star Family members of fallen U.S. servicemembers expressed deep criticism of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing them of ignoring their loss and mishandling the evacuation. Cheryl Juels, the aunt of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, who died in the attack, lamented the administration's lack of acknowledgment. "They just want to pretend it didn’t happen. They want to take credit for ending the war but not take responsibility for how it all went down," she said.
Family members of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz and Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez joined Juels on a press call, alongside Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (OH) and Reps. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT). Alicia Lopez, mother of Hunter Lopez, criticized Biden and Harris for showing "a lack of responsibility" and expressed fear for her son, who is still serving. "It saddens me and frightens me," she said, adding that she wants leaders who will genuinely care for and protect U.S. servicemembers.
Mark Schmitz, the father of Jared Schmitz, expressed frustration over what he described as lies, corruption, and cover-ups surrounding the chaotic withdrawal. He called out Democratic politicians for failing to hold key officials accountable during committee hearings, emphasizing that the issue transcends partisan politics. "This is not a Republican versus Democrat issue. This is an American issue," he said. Schmitz urged Americans to recognize the leadership failures during the withdrawal when choosing future leaders, stressing the need for accountability beyond party lines.
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