President Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal has been a contentious topic, particularly among Gold Star families who lost loved ones during the chaotic exit. Recently, these families have criticized Biden for what they see as a pattern of insensitivity and misinformation, particularly regarding his claims about troop deaths under his administration.
In her new book “Say More,” former White House press secretary Jen Psaki asserts that President Biden did not look at his watch during the dignified transfer ceremony for soldiers killed in the Afghanistan withdrawal. This claim contradicts news photos and firsthand accounts from Gold Star families. Psaki’s book is seen as an attempt to downplay controversial episodes from the Afghanistan withdrawal as the 2024 election approaches.
Psaki writes that Biden only looked at his watch after the ceremony had ended, labeling the criticism as “misinformation” aimed at making him appear insensitive. However, this account conflicts with fact-checks and news photos from the ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. The Associated Press photographer captured Biden looking at his watch twice, ten minutes apart. Gold Star families have consistently stated that Biden checked his watch as the caskets went by.
Mark Schmitz, the father of Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, told Congress in August 2023 that he saw Biden checking his watch repeatedly during the ceremony. Shana Chappell, the mother of Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, also expressed her anger on Facebook, stating that Biden disrespected them by checking his watch multiple times.
Psaki initially declined to comment but later stated that the detail about the exact number of times Biden looked at his watch would be removed in future reprints of her book. She emphasized that the story was about the importance of delivering feedback, even when difficult, and that Biden’s story of loss was not well received by grieving families.
The Biden administration has faced ongoing criticism for its handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. White House spokesperson John Kirby defended the evacuation process, stating that he did not see chaos from his perspective. However, Psaki and Kirby have declined to be interviewed by the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee for its probe into the withdrawal.
The administration’s review of the withdrawal blamed former President Trump, stating that Biden’s choices were constrained by conditions created by his predecessor. Despite this, Biden has maintained that ending America’s longest war was the right decision, although the withdrawal has taken a heavy political toll.
Since the withdrawal, more Americans have consistently disapproved of Biden’s performance, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average. Trump, who also supported the withdrawal, has criticized Biden’s handling of it.
The Gold Star families’ criticism of Biden extends beyond the watch-checking incident. Kelly Barnett, the mother of Marine Staff Sgt. Darin “Taylor” Hoover, described a “horrible feeling” after learning of the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate outside Kabul’s airport. Hoover was one of 13 U.S. service members who died in the attack on August 26, 2021.
As the Taliban swept through Afghanistan, 6,000 U.S. troops were dispatched to the Kabul airport to aid the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians. Abbey Gate was the only remaining public entrance, and it was there that the suicide bomber detonated his device, killing 13 service members and more than 170 Afghan civilians.
Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, who was also killed in the attack, had posted a photo of herself holding an infant at the Kabul airport with the caption, “I love my job.” Gee’s mother-in-law, Christy Shamblin, said that Gee was motivated to help desperate people and gave 100% to the mission.
Hoover, on his third deployment to Afghanistan, was also dedicated to the mission. His mother, Kelly Barnett, said that he wanted to stay out and continue bringing people in, even when it was time for a break.
Coral Briseno, the mother of Marine Humberto Sanchez, recalled her son wanting to join the Marine Corps to make her proud. Sanchez, known as “Bert,” was one of the 13 service members killed in the attack.
These Gold Star families remember exactly where they were when they found out their loved ones were among the fallen. Shamblin was on vacation with her son, Jarod, Gee’s husband and a fellow Marine. Barnett was gripped by fear and knew something was wrong when she got home. Briseno received a call from the Marines in the middle of the night, informing her of her son’s death.
Three days after the bombing, the remains of all 13 service members arrived at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer ceremony. Instead of feeling comforted, the families felt disrespected by Biden’s actions. Shamblin said that the administration didn’t seem to know their story, and Briseno felt that Biden made the encounter “all about him.”
Barnett emphasized that her family had decided not to meet with Biden but ultimately went onto the tarmac, where they saw him checking his watch multiple times. Barnett described it as “total disrespect” and “beyond disgusting.”
These mothers, along with other family members of the 13 fallen service members, have been vocal in their calls for transparency and accountability from the Biden administration. They participated in a roundtable discussion led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, marking the first time several of these Gold Star families gathered on Capitol Hill.
In response to an inquiry from ABC News, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the White House knows “each of these families still suffer, still grieve and still yearn for loved ones killed in Kabul.” He added that the President and First Lady remain deeply committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of the fallen service members.
While these family members say their grief will be with them forever, their hope is that changes will be made to avoid another chaotic conflict or withdrawal. Shamblin expressed hope that no more families would have to join the Gold Star community.
Source: CNN, ABC News
