Trump blames Harris and Biden for US soldiers killed in Afghanistan withdrawal: ‘They pulled the trigger’

PALM BEACH, FLORIDA: Former president Donald Trump has directly blamed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the deaths of 13 US service members during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021.

In an interview with podcaster Lex Fridman on Tuesday, September 3, Trump suggested that Biden and Harris were as culpable as if they had personally "pulled the trigger".

His comments came during a discussion about his attendance at a private ceremony commemorating the three-year anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, which claimed the lives of the 13 service members.

Donald Trump blames Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for Afghanistan withdrawal

Donald Trump did not hold back in his criticism of how the Biden administration handled the Afghanistan withdrawal. He argued that the deaths of the 13 service members were a direct result of the administration’s poor decision-making, the New York Post reported.

Parents of the 13 had "lost a child because of Biden and because of Kamala, just as though they had a gun in their head because it was so badly handled,” Trump said, before questioning the choice of location for the withdrawal.

“It should have been done at Bagram, which is a big airbase. It shouldn’t have been done in a small little airport right in the middle of town, where people stormed it," he insisted.

Trump has repeatedly lambasted Biden’s handling of the 2021 situation—saying it was a failure that culminated in the Taliban’s hostile takeover of Afghanistan after two decades of US control.

"It’s very sad, actually, because these people shouldn’t have died. They shouldn’t have died. They died because of Biden and because of Kamala. They died just like if they pulled the trigger," Trump reiterated during the interview.

“I don’t know if that’s controversial to say, but I don’t think it is. Afghanistan was the most incompetently run operation I think I’ve ever seen, military or otherwise.”

Donald Trump's controversial attendance at Arlington cemetery ceremony

Donald Trump attended the private ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery after being invited by the Gold Star families. 

“It was very hard for me to do it logistically, but I said, ‘I’ll get it done.’ And I got there and we had a beautiful time. I didn’t run away. I didn’t, you know, just walk in and shake hands,” Trump explained.

However, the aftermath of the ceremony was marred by controversy. Reports emerged of a conflict between Arlington staff and a member of Trump’s team over photography rights at the cemetery.

The Trump campaign said that they were willing to release footage to disprove any allegations of a physical altercation, but it was sufficient political fodder for Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Upon returning to his Florida home, Trump found out that Harris had slammed his attendance at the event and accused him of using it as a campaign photo op. The VP posted on X that the former president “is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself".

Veterans, service members, and their families "should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude," she wrote.

“And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America.”

Donald Trump defends himself amid Arlington cemetery controversy

However, Donald Trump vehemently denied the reports.

“There was no conflict or ‘fighting’ at Arlington National Cemetery last week. It was a made-up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad. She made it all up to make up for the fact that she and Sleepy Joe have BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS for the INCOMPETENT AFGHANISTAN Withdrawal – THE MOST EMBARRASSING DAY IN U.S. HISTORY!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social earlier on Tuesday, September 3.

“They should have been at Arlington, not on a beach or studying for a Debate. Thank you to my friends, the GREAT GOLD STAR FAMILIES, for revealing the TRUTH OF A BEAUTIFUL DAY OF HONOR. Could not have been a nicer moment- And there were no fights or problems, only in the heads of those that are destroying our Country!” he added.