Republican members of Congress, along with some U.S. military veterans and families of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan, have voiced sharp criticism of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw U.S. troops from the country.
Speaking at the Republican National Convention, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich described the withdrawal as “chaotic.”
“President Trump insisted on keeping the Bagram air base, which is located within one hour of Chinese nuclear facilities. President Biden gave it to the Taliban,” Gingrich said.
Family members of U.S. service members who were killed in the line of duty made poignant appearances during the third night of the convention on Wednesday.
“Joe Biden said the withdrawal from Afghanistan was an extraordinary success,” said Sheryl Jewels, whose relative was killed in the Abbey Gate bombing in August 2021. “An extraordinary success? Look at our faces. Look at our pain and heartbreak. That was not an extraordinary success. The humiliation of our nation was not an extraordinary success.”
Herman Lopez, father of fallen service member Hunter Lopez, solemnly recited the names of the 13 soldiers killed in the attack.
“And we do not trust Joe Biden with his life. We have faith in Donald Trump to lead our military. Please join us in supporting Donald Trump for President and Commander in Chief,” said Alicia Lopez, a relative of Hunter Lopez.
The U.S. ended its two-decade military presence in Afghanistan in August 2021 as the Taliban took control of Kabul. The Biden administration has claimed it conducted one of the largest airlift operations in history during the evacuation. However, a deadly suicide bombing by ISIS-K killed around 170 Afghans and 13 American soldiers during the evacuation.
Republican members of Congress have repeatedly criticized Biden’s handling of the withdrawal.
“What is worse is that Joe Biden doesn’t remember that it cost the lives of 13 American heroes. When their coffins arrived at Dover, he remembered to check his watch,” said Representative Brian Mast.
Despite the criticism, Biden has repeatedly cited the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan as one of his administration’s significant achievements.
