'They were disrespected': Trump honors 13 Abbey Gate heroes, vows justice for Gold Star families
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, on Wednesday, August 26, marked the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack by honoring the 13 American service members killed in the Kabul bombing and saying their families had been “ignored and disrespected” after the deadly Afghanistan withdrawal.
Trump said he had made a promise to the Gold Star families during his 2024 campaign and declared that his administration had delivered justice by capturing the man he described as the attack’s mastermind.
“You will NEVER be forgotten!”
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 26, 2026
President Trump marks the 5th anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing by honoring the 13 American service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal and renewing his criticism of the Biden admin's handling of the chaotic exit. pic.twitter.com/L6X75HOupy
Trump remembers fallen service members
In a post on Truth Social, Trump paid tribute to the 13 Americans killed at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021, when a bomber attacked crowds gathered outside Hamid Karzai International Airport during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump placed the blame for the circumstances surrounding the attack squarely on the Biden administration, calling the withdrawal “totally botched” and accusing the then-Democratic leadership of leaving American troops vulnerable.
He also pointed to his meetings with the families of the fallen during his 2024 presidential campaign.
Three years ago today, Biden and Kamala launched their disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 15, 2024
This was the chaotic scene in Kabul, which occurred because Biden and Kamala foolishly abandoned Bagram Air Force Base in favor of conducting the evacuation in the crowded city of… pic.twitter.com/CcXIMW6gxp
Trump said the families had been treated with disrespect and claimed that they had not received the attention they deserved from Democrats.
He recalled promising them that, if returned to the White House, he would pursue justice over the deaths of their loved ones.
Trump said his administration had since apprehended the person responsible for the attack, describing that as one of his greatest honors as commander in chief.
JUST IN: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth honors the 3 Marines who stood on the frontlines during the chaotic withdrawal at Kabul's Abbey Gate five years ago.
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 26, 2026
Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan Eby
Corporal Michael Gretzon
Lance Corporal Jordan Houston
"We're here to look you in the eye… pic.twitter.com/wFufsD0Ure
He ended his message with a tribute to the fallen service members and their families, saying they would never be forgotten.
Marines receive upgraded honors
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth separately recognized three Marines who were stationed at Abbey Gate during the final days of the withdrawal: Gunnery Sgt Jonathan Eby, Cpl Michael Gretzon and Lance Cpl Jordan Houston.
Hegseth said the three Marines remained in position despite the threat of an attack, standing in an exposed area while thousands of people depended on the troops securing the evacuation site.
He described their actions as an example of the “warrior spirit” the Pentagon wants to reinforce across the military.
🚨 JUST IN: In a truly incredible moment, SecWar Pete Hegseth just PERSONALLY gave upgraded valor awards to US Marines who were DOWNGRADED by the Biden admin after they ran into danger in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombings
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 26, 2026
Biden tried HIDING his failure by throwing THEM under the bus.… pic.twitter.com/rr36r3AEas
The department also formally upgraded the medals awarded to the three Marines in recognition of their actions during the attack.
The Abbey Gate bombing killed 13 US service members and roughly 170 Afghan civilians.
Five years on, Abbey Gate remains a painful chapter of the Afghanistan withdrawal, with the families of the 13 fallen Americans still seeking answers and accountability.
