Leading Republicans have slammed Vice President Kamala Harris for acknowledging that she was “the last person in the room” when President Biden made the sudden decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
The criticism came on the anniversary of the deadly suicide bombing at Abiy Gate outside Kabul’s Hamid Karazai International Airport that ultimately left 13 U.S. soldiers dead and others injured.
Harris first commented on her involvement in the decision to withdraw from the war-torn region during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash in April 2021, prior to the tragic attack. “The president just made a very big decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. Were you the last person there?” Bash asked Harris. “Yes,” Harris responded, adding that she was “pleased” with the president’s decision and admired his courage in making it.
Harris’ role in Afghanistan withdrawal remains mysterious despite ‘final sit-down’ with Biden
This year marks the third anniversary of the tragic incident, and some Republicans have relentlessly criticized Harris, now the Democratic presidential nominee, for her comments, with some arguing that they indicate she played a role in the tragic decision.
“It is morally abhorrent for Vice President Harris to brag that she was ‘the last man standing’ in Biden’s Afghanistan withdrawal, and the American people deserve a full accounting of her role in this disaster,” former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. I wrote to X Monday.
Pompeo attached a video of the interview to his post, as did House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, who attached a similar video to his own post. A post commemorating the 3rd anniversary. In the video, Johnson called the withdrawal from Afghanistan “tragic” and honoured all the service members who had died by name.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris
But fellow presidential candidate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum was more direct in his criticism of Harris, saying on Fox News Monday morning that Harris, not just Biden, needs to be held accountable for withdrawing from Afghanistan.
“We need to give roses to Harris as well as Biden.” Burgum told Fox News. “She bragged that she was the last person in the room with Mr. Biden when they made this decision… They made the decision on a specific date, and that specific date was chosen for political reasons.”
“That’s why we need to have President Trump back as commander in chief, someone who understands how the world works and what we need to do to keep the world safe.”
Republican Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota spoke at the second Republican debate earlier this year. (Robin Beck/Getty Images)
Kelly Loeffler The former Georgia senator argued Monday that while “Harris has overseen many failures,” her worst and “most tragic” mistake was “being the ‘last person in the room’ that approved the disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan.” Dave McCormick The Republican Senate candidate from Pennsylvania blasted Harris, saying he was “proud to be the last person left in the room” during the decision that led to the deaths of 13 US soldiers.
Harris doesn’t mention fatally botched Afghanistan withdrawal in military-focused speech at DNC
In addition to Harris’ “last person in the room” comment, Republicans on Monday also took issue with her failure to reveal the names of the 13 U.S. soldiers killed in a suicide bomb attack at Kabul airport three years ago.
“This was the deadliest day for Americans in Afghanistan in a decade, and to this day, neither Biden nor Harris have spoken the names of our fallen soldiers,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York. I wrote to X Monday morning.
Pallbearers carry one of the 13 military personnel killed in the Abbey Gate attack at Kabul airport in August 2021. (Stephen Lamb/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Trump campaign The video was released on Monday’s anniversary. It puts the spotlight on all the Gold Star families who lost loved ones in the Kabul airport bombing. “To this day, Kamala Harris has never uttered the names of these fallen soldiers,” the video is captioned.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Fox News Digital reached out to Harris’ campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
