US Marks Third Anniversary of Kabul Airport Attack
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Today is the third anniversary of the suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, which killed 13 U.S. service members, during the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Today: President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Trump all issued statements about the attack. Trump also visited Arlington National Cemetery with the families of some of the service members.
What Did the Biden Administration Know?: A non-profit watchdog, the Functional Government Initiative, submitted a Freedom of Information Act request, revealing some internal memos from the withdrawal. Just the News (Lean Right bias) noted that then-DOD Undersecretary of Communications John Kirby "used the words 'chaos' or 'chaotic' more than two dozen times [in Pentagon emails]." A report emailed to Kirby ten days before the bombing referenced "'breaches' and 'flightline insecurity' at the airport that resulted in the exchange of gunfire."
How the Media Covered It: Some on the right highlighted Trump's cemetery visit and noted Biden and Harris' absence. The Daily Wire (Right) highlighted the emails with a headline saying the "Biden Admin Was Aware Of The ‘Chaos’ That Led To [The Attack]." Others framed headlines around Harris. The Associated Press (Lean Left) headline said "Trump tries to connect Harris to the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal." Outlets on the left and center choosing not to mention the emails is bias by omission. Outlets on the left focusing on Trump's comments toward Harris is slant. Right-rated outlets also showed slant by focusing on Trump "honoring fallen heroes."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Left
Trump tries to connect Harris to the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal on anniversary of attackFormer President Donald Trump on Monday is tying Vice President Kamala Harris to the chaotic Afghanistan War withdrawal on the third anniversary of the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members.
Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, laid wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of three of the slain service members — Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. Later in the day, he was going to Michigan to address the National Guard Association of the United States conference.
From the Center
Harris marks anniversary of Kabul airport attack, backs Biden decisionVice President Harris, the Democrat nominee for president, marked the third anniversary of the suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, when 13 U.S. service members were killed.
“Today and everyday, I mourn and honor them. My prayers are with their families and loved ones. My heart breaks for their pain and their loss. These 13 devoted patriots represent the best of America, putting our beloved nation and their fellow Americans above themselves and deploying into danger to keep their fellow citizens safe,” she said in a statement.
From the Right
3 Years Ago A Terrorist Attack Killed 13 U.S. Troops. Newly-Released Emails Show Biden Admin Was Aware Of The ‘Chaos’ That Led To It.Newly released emails show top Biden administration officials discussing the chaos of the Afghanistan withdrawal in the days leading up to the deadly terrorist attack that killed 13 American soldiers three years ago today.
The messages, obtained by watchdog organization the Functional Government Initiative and shared with Just the News, show that former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby was fully aware of the “chaos” on the ground in Afghanistan despite later saying he didn’t see how the withdrawal could have been done better.
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