The Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, recently participated in a congressional gold medal ceremony to honor the 13 American servicemembers who tragically lost their lives in the Kabul airport bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal. The ceremony, attended by members of Congress, the Senate, and the House, was a solemn and poignant moment as the fallen heroes were remembered and recognized.
The congressional gold medal, the highest honor bestowed by Congress, was a fitting tribute to these brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Speaker Johnson had the opportunity to meet with Gold Star families who had lost loved ones in the attack, offering his condolences and support during this difficult time.
Reflecting on the events surrounding the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Speaker Johnson highlighted the bipartisan criticism of both the Trump and Biden administrations. He referenced a House Foreign Affairs Committee report that identified shortcomings in the handling of the withdrawal process.
Speaker Johnson clarified the circumstances surrounding the Doha agreement negotiated during the Trump administration, noting that while the agreement aimed to end the conflict in Afghanistan, the conditions were not fully met, leading to a pause in the withdrawal process. In contrast, President Biden proceeded with the withdrawal, resulting in a chaotic and disastrous exit from the country.
The Speaker criticized the Biden administration for prioritizing optics over the safety of service members, citing the lack of an emergency withdrawal plan, insufficient supplies at the Kabul airport, and the abandonment of American citizens and military equipment to the Taliban.
Furthermore, Speaker Johnson expressed disappointment in President Biden and Vice President Harris for failing to acknowledge the names of the fallen service members from the Kabul bombing. He criticized President Biden for inaccurately claiming that no service members were lost under his watch, neglecting to honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
