Biden admits he was wrong about no troops dying during his presidency.
During the CNN Presidential Debate Simulcast on Thursday night, President Biden made a bold claim that he is “the only president this century” and “this decade” that did not have any troops dying anywhere in the world. However, this statement failed to acknowledge the 13 fallen service members who lost their lives during his administration’s chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
The debate moderator, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, raised a question related to the economy, prompting Biden to reflect on former President Trump’s tax cuts and the economic policies of the previous administration. Biden criticized Trump’s handling of the economy, stating, “The greatest economy in the world? He’s the only one who thinks that. I don’t know anybody else who thinks they have the greatest economy in the world.”
Continuing his critique, Biden highlighted Trump’s massive tax cut of $2 trillion, which he claimed led to a drastic increase in the national deficit. However, the focus then shifted to the topic of Afghanistan.
Biden asserted that Trump had not taken substantial action regarding the situation in Afghanistan, stating, “He didn’t do anything about Afghanistan.” The President then emphasized his own approach, claiming, “Truth is, I’m the only president this century that doesn’t have—this decade—any troops dying anywhere in the world like he did.”
Despite Biden’s statement, the grim reality of the Afghanistan withdrawal came to a tragic climax on August 26, 2021, when a suicide bombing outside of Hamid Karzai International Airport claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members. Among the casualties were 11 Marines, one Navy sailor, and one Army soldier, with an additional 18 U.S. service members sustaining injuries. The devastating attack also resulted in over 150 civilian deaths.
The feelings of sorrow and loss were exacerbated by the fact that all U.S. forces had been withdrawn from Bagram Air Base, the largest military base in Afghanistan, in July 2021.
As the aftermath of the Kabul airport bombing unfolded, the world witnessed the chaos and devastation that ensued, underscoring the profound impact of the Biden administration’s decisions in Afghanistan. The stark reality of 13 brave men and women making the ultimate sacrifice served as a somber reminder of the high stakes involved in international conflict.
While the debate between President Biden and former President Trump may have been a platform for political rhetoric and discourse, the tragic events in Afghanistan highlighted the human cost of war and the sacrifices made by military personnel in service of their country.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal and mourns the loss of 13 courageous individuals, it is imperative to remember and honor their memory, ensuring that their sacrifice is never forgotten.
