Biden skips Arlington National Cemetery event but whips Trump for canceling former memorial visit
WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden stayed on vacation without making any statements or attending any activities on the third anniversary of the attack on the Kabul airport shortly after criticizing former president Donald Trump for postponing his World War I memorial visit.
In 2018, Trump pulled off a scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery while he was still president, citing poor flight conditions for Marine One.
The Atlantic said that the cancellation was made because the rain was damaging his hair. During a June visit to the cemetery in France, Biden poked fun at Trump over the earlier report, which both Trump and a number of his administration aides who were present have since denied.
Joe Biden's social media post in June
"I was honored to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and pay my respects to those buried there. Those who served our country are heroes—not losers," Joe Biden posted on X in June, along with a video compilation of people bashing Donald Trump, Fox News reported.
While Biden avoided the White House for the second consecutive week, this past Monday marked three years since 13 American servicemen were killed in a suicide bomber strike during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
I was honored to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and pay my respects to those buried there.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 11, 2024
Those who served our country are heroes—not losers. pic.twitter.com/dktSbbzTrc
Republicans slam Joe Biden for staying put
"During the anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal, amidst an ongoing migrant and economic crisis, President Biden continues to do what he does best – NOTHING!" Rep Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz, said in a post on X. Rep Andy Biggs, R-Ariz, said that Joe Biden's absence "should tell you everything you need to know."
During the anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal, amidst an ongoing migrant and economic crisis, President Biden continues to do what he does best – NOTHING!https://t.co/27DdJgYMIc
— Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) August 29, 2024
"Three years ago, Biden-Harris’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal caused the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. President Trump attended the ceremony in their honor at Arlington Cemetery today," Biggs posted on X. "Biden is on vacation."
Three years ago, Biden-Harris’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal caused the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) August 26, 2024
President Trump attended the ceremony in their honor at Arlington Cemetery today. Biden is on vacation.
That should tell you everything you need to know.
One Gold Star father, Mark Schmitz, told the outlet that they were "not surprised in the least bit that neither one of them would show up for this event."
White House releases statement on Kabul attack anniversary
The White House issued a statement on the third anniversary of the Kabul airport attack, but based on his public schedule, Joe Biden did not attend any memorial services.
"Three years ago, an ISIS suicide bomber launched an attack of deliberate evil at Abbey Gate outside of Kabul Airport—killing 13 American service members and more than 100 innocent Afghans. Today, and every day, we honor our fallen," a statement from Biden read.
The president spent the week of the Democratic National Convention in Santa Barbara, California, for his first vacation of the month, and now he is on the beach. John Kirby, the communications advisor for the White House National Security Council, faced questions about whether a written statement was "enough" for the anniversary.
"Neither going to Arlington nor any individual paper statement is ever going to be enough to repay these families and to try and make sure they know they are supported," Kirby told CNN.
John Kirby said Donald Trump was personally invited to Arlington event
John Kirby added in a different statement that Donald Trump received a personal invitation to the Arlington function.
"Mr. Trump was invited by at least one, I think maybe several of the families to lay a wreath at Arlington, and that is certainly a way to recognize the sacrifice and the loss. But it was a personal invitation by families, and certainly I’ll let him speak to that and his willingness to do it," the White House staffer said.
In remembrance of the service soldiers who died in Afghanistan, Trump paid a visit to Arlington National Cemetery on the anniversary and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In a Monday afternoon phone call with reporters, relatives of the Gold Star families joined Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance and the Trump campaign.
Internet says Joe Biden doesn't care anymore since his election exit
Netizens slammed the US president for making no remarks or events scheduled on the third anniversary of the Kabul airport attack.
One X user tweeted, "Biden doesn’t give AF anymore He got kicked out so he’s pissed off and taking his vacation time and just screw off the remaining days in office."
Another added, "Biden is the worst US President I have ever seen in my lifetime. No one else even comes close. In Biden's defense, he never should have been put into the White House in the first place. Democrats have been so completely consumed by their own seething hatred for Trump, his family and his supporters that they were willing to commit one of the worst cases of #ElderAbuse in world history."
Biden doesn’t give AF anymore
— Redneck Azn (@LMFireSystems1) August 30, 2024
He got kicked out so he’s pissed off and taking his vacation time and just screw off the remaining days in office
Biden is the worst US President I have ever seen in my lifetime. No one else even comes close. In Biden's defense, he never should have been put into the White House in the first place. Democrats have been so completely consumed by their own seething hatred for Trump, his family…
— Sohnie Hill (@Sohnie) August 30, 2024
"Biden is literally collecting a salary to stay out of the Oval Office!" remarked one, while someone else wrote, "@JoeBiden has check out. We all know that."
Biden is literally collecting a salary to stay out of the Oval Office!
— 🇺🇸💣💥 MAGA Truth Bomber 🇺🇸💣💥 (@truthbombprints) August 30, 2024
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