Heartbreaking moment as families of US servicemen killed in suicide bombings in Kabul shake their heads in unison when asked if Biden took ANY responsibility for the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan
- Families of three Americans killed in the blast in Kabul attended Thursday’s hearing
- Republican lawmakers have launched a review of the chaotic Afghan withdrawal
Families of the servicemen killed in Kabul two years ago have delivered the most damning verdict yet on President Joe Biden’s response to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
During a congressional hearing on what went wrong, they were asked if the Biden administration had taken ownership of the botched exit.
They shake their heads at the same time.
“Neither will the American people,” said Rep. Eli Crane, a former Navy SEAL, who popped the question.
It’s been nearly two years since a suicide bomber detonated its deadly payload amid the chaos of Kabul International Airport.
President Joe Biden ordered US troops to leave Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. As a result, the Taliban invaded the country and took Kabul
He killed 13 Americans and at least 170 Afghans.
It brought a bloody end to Biden’s decision to bring home the troops left in the country after 20 years of conflict.
It followed weeks of unrest as Taliban fighters advanced on the capital, Kabul, as Afghanistan’s armed forces, built on billions of dollars in foreign aid, melted away.
As a result, thousands of desperate Afghans laid siege to Hamid Karzai International Airport as they sought safe passage for the country’s extremist overlords.
It was Biden’s first major test as president and his administration has been accused of failing to properly plan the withdrawal or predict a Taliban takeover, despite the insurgents gaining ground for months.
Now that the House is in Republican hands, lawmakers want to investigate what went wrong.
Thursday’s session of the House subcommittee on oversight and accountability began with Representative Brian Mast, the chairman, who is the mother of Sgt. Nicole Gee, the mother of Cpl. Hunter Lopez, and the parents of Cpl. Humberto Sanchez, all of whom died in the explosion at the airport’s Abbey Gate in August 2021.
“Thank you for raising patriots and I’m sorry for your loss,” he said.
The Americans killed in the blast were: (from left to right, starting with top row) Cpl. Daegan W. Page – Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo – Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover – Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza – Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum – Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui – Cpl. Hunter Lopez – Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz – Staff Sergeant. Ryan C. Knauss – Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez – Marine Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak – Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola – Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
In his opening remarks, he said Biden was the ultimate decision maker in the process of withdrawing.
“The president’s withdrawal was an unmitigated catastrophe,” he said.
“The images of people hanging from airplanes and desperate parents giving their babies over airport walls to soldiers are etched in the collective conscience of our country.”
Colonel (retired) Seth Krummrich, former Chief of Staff of Special Operations Command Central, and Command Sergeant Major Jacob Smith, of the 10th Mountain Division, testified at the hearing.
But the most telling moment came when Rep. Mast addressed the families in the gallery.
The withdrawal will be remembered for the chaotic scenes of desperate Afghans trying to escape from the Taliban at Hamid Karzai International Airport
Thousands of Afghans were brought to safety after the Taliban seized control of the country as US troops made their way out, plunging Afghanistan into uncertainty
“To the families behind you, who are still clearly morning, by nodding your head, yes or no,” he asked, “Do you feel this government has taken ownership and responsibility?”
They shake their heads.
“I don’t think so,” he said.
Rep. Mike McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said real leaders admit their mistakes.
“Instead of prioritizing US national security and the safety of thousands of Americans, they forced this rapid withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan on an artificial timeline,” he said.
And the number will be September 11. What an insult to the victims of 9/11.’