Afghanistan Gold Star father blasts Harris for son’s death over her ‘last person in the room’ remark

WASHINGTON, DC: Steve Nikoui, father of one of the Marines killed in the suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul during President Joe Biden's botched Afghanistan evacuation, continues to hold Vice President Kamala Harris accountable for the tragedy that claimed his son's life.

Three years after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, this grieving Gold Star father of Lance Cpl Kareem Nikoui is voicing his frustrations as the Biden administration continues to dodge "responsibility".

Steve Nikoui slams Biden-Harris administration for lack of accountability

In a fiery interview, Steve Nikoui didn't mince words about his frustration with the administration.

“Another year has gone by,” he said, "but only Gold Star families and members of Congress continue to fight and question the actions of the Biden/Harris administration.”

For Nikoui, the news that Biden won’t seek reelection brings a sense of “victory,” but he remains skeptical that Harris will offer any closure to families like his.

Nikoui pointedly reminded the public that Harris “was not nominated by the people” and "assumed responsibility for the evacuation when she said she was the last one in the room".

The Vice President confirmed this in a CNN interview. When asked if she was the “last person in the room” during the critical Afghanistan decision-making process, Harris affirmed that she was, per Daily Mail.

Steve Nikoui's son was among the 13 Americans and approximately 170 Afghans who perished when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive in August 2021.

On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson shared a clip of that interview on social media, calling the 13 fallen troops “heroic.” "We honor their memory and will never forget their sacrifice."

Johnson’s tribute echoed the sentiments of many who believe not a single official from the Biden administration has accepted responsibility for the tragic loss of life.

Donald Trump pays tribute to fallen heroes of Afghanistan withdrawal

Former president Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, August 26, to honor the fallen. He laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and paid a private visit to Section 60, where many of those killed in Afghanistan now rest.

He was joined by family members of the fallen and two Marines who were injured in the attack.

Cpl Kelsee Lainhart, who was left paralyzed by the attack and now relies on a wheelchair, and Sgt Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who lost his right arm and left leg. While Harris issued a statement honoring the service members killed alongside over 100 "innocent Afghans", Gold Star families remain deeply unsatisfied.

Many of them have been vocal in their belief that the administration has ignored their pleas for a meeting and accountability. 

Gold Star families rally behind Donald Trump at RNC

At the recent Republican National Convention, these families rallied behind Donald Trump, seeing him as the leader who truly understands their grief and the sacrifices of their loved ones.

Darin Hoover, who lost his son Staff Sgt Taylor Hoover in the attack, made it clear that for him and many others, Trump represents a voice of truth and a commitment to ensuring that “what happened to our kids never happens again".

"Sure, war is hell and we're going to lose some," he said, "but not in the manner that our kids were lost."

The sentiment was echoed by others, including Taylor’s sister Coral Doolittle and his mother Kelly Barnett, who emphasized the need for a leader who cares for veterans and military families.

"I'm here because Trump speaks for me, he speaks for my morals, my beliefs. He speaks truth," said Doolittle. "We are here to support Trump because we need a change. We need somebody that cares for veterans, our military, our military families...and we know that he's gonna do it for us," added Barnett.

Biden had faced significant backlash after footage emerged of him checking his watch during the dignified transfer ceremony for the fallen military service members from Afghanistan in Dover, Delaware. Biden later claimed during his presidential debate in June this year that "no service members have died" under his watch.