'Something has to change': Mark Schmitz calls for holding Biden officials accountable for 2021 Afghanistan exit on 'Fox & Friends'

Mark Schmitz slamed Biden administration for botching up troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021
Ainsley Earhardt and Mark Schmitz on the March 20, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)
Ainsley Earhardt and Mark Schmitz on the March 20, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Co-host Ainsley Earhardt was joined by Gold Star father Mark Schmitz on the Wednesday, March 20 episode of 'Fox & Friends', where the latter demanded the administrative officials responsible for planning the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021 be held accountable.

The operation had resulted in the death of 13 US soldiers, which included his son, Marine Lance Cpl Jared Schmitz.

Schmitz's interview took place in light of top US Generals speaking out the day before, blaming the administration for not following advice and making a chaotic exit, reported Fox News.

Mark Schmitz blames Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Schmitz labeled Blinken as "the biggest culprit" for how the operation unfolded and felt retired commanders were being "hushed" from speaking out.

"First and foremost, I personally request the resignation of Blinken. I think he needs to go," he told Earhardt. "You look at this administration and the policies that they've been making since Biden took office. And I'm not trying to go political with this, but we're watching embassies being evacuated left and right. It just shows a complete weakness on behalf of this administration."

Gold Star father Mark Schmitz on the March 20, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)
Gold Star father Mark Schmitz on the March 20, 2024 episode of 'Fox & Friends' (Screengrab/Fox News)

"And something has to change," he asserted.

Mark Schmitz attended Joe Biden's SOTU address 

At the State of the Union, Schmitz witnessed Steve Nikoui, a fellow fellow Gold Star father, being arrested for disrupting Congress.

Nikoui's son, Marine Lance Cpl Kareem Nikoui, was also killed in Afghanistan in the suicide bombing at Kabul Airport's Abbey Gate. He had shouted "Remember Abbey Gate" and his son's name from the upper level of the chamber at the president in protest.

Charges against Nikoui were later dropped by DC's attorney general, but Schmitz stated that they shouldn't have been brought in the first place.

Schmitz considered Nikoui a hero, stating, "Most of us elected not to speak out, but for what Steve did, I think it's fantastic. This was a dream of his to have his son's name uttered in those walls, and he did that. Unfortunately, he had to do it himself, because here we are, two and a half years later, and Biden is still yet to mention our kids' names."



 

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Louisiana senator discussed his political future and the growing Republican field during a Sunday interview
4 minutes ago
“The Polls have ALWAYS underestimated MAGA. They try to suppress the Vote, but I won all 7 Swing States, the Popular Vote, 86% of Counties, and 99% of Primaries this year. I AM ON THE BALLOT,” Trump said
47 minutes ago
The president said the network had failed to reflect his rallies' enthusiasm and warned that its audience could walk away if this continued
1 hour ago
President also named DNI Jay Clayton as AI czar as part of the new federal force
1 hour ago
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez warned about people who want to 'demobilize a people’s movement' using 'cynical narratives from the right'
8 hours ago
Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Kaitlan Collins over her reporting, while CNN defended her as an 'exceptional journalist'
10 hours ago
The last time a similar meeting took place was in June 2025, just days before Israel launched strikes on military and nuclear facilities in Iran
10 hours ago
Ted Cruz pointed to his support for Republicans, including JD Vance, while stressing that he remains focused on the upcoming midterm elections
11 hours ago
Trump also told the crowd to 'just pretend that I’m running' when they vote in the midterms
11 hours ago
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump has options on Iran as top aides secretly met at Camp David over the war and Yemen
17 hours ago