Many Gold Star families have expressed their anger and frustration over President Joe Biden’s actions and statements following the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
Gold Star’s father, Mark Schmitz, expressed his frustration in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, calling Biden a coward and “an embarrassment to the country.”
Former President Donald Trump and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL) are actively involved with Gold Star family members. They scheduled meetings with these families on the second anniversary of the last American flight in Afghanistan.
Waltz commented, “I am in constant contact with Gold Star families, and I have significant experience with Gold Star families from my interactions with Green Berets and other service members who have, unfortunately, been lost over the years.”
“What stood out to me was that there was undoubtedly deep grief among these families — the loss of a child is very difficult — something I’ve never done in my 20 years of engagement. The Gold Star community faced a group that was just as angry as they were.”
Lies From Biden
Waltz described the sentiments of the Gold Star families he spoke with, saying they were misled and received conflicting accounts of what happened. They claimed that Defense Department officials presented one story, while their Marine counterparts shared different, conflicting stories.
He continued, “There are additional concerns that some families have yet to receive their loved one’s personal belongings, particularly their phones and the photos they contain. Furthermore, these families are unhappy with how President Biden has treated them. These are their feelings, not mine.”
Waltz explained that given these circumstances, he decided to reach out to President Trump and ask if he would be willing to spend time with Gold Star families. He emphasized that his intention was not to politicize the situation but to provide families with a positive and potentially productive experience. President Trump immediately agreed to this proposal.
Among the Marines who tragically lost their lives in the bombing incident were Lance Corporal David Espinoza, Sergeant Nicole Gee, Staff Sergeant Darrin Hoover, Corporal Hunter Lopez, Lance Corporal Riley McCollum, Lance Corporal Dylan Merola, Lance Corporal Karim Nikoui, Page Corporal Nikoui. Sergeant Johanny Pichardo, Corporal Humberto Sanchez, and Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz. Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Nass and Navy Corpsman Maxton Soviak were also killed in the attack.
Family members of Gee, Hoover, Merola, Nicoi, Page, Sanchez, Schmitz, and Nass will attend the meeting with former President Trump.
A Trump campaign official said, “There is no one who defends America’s military members and their families more fiercely than President Trump.”
Trump’s spokesperson highlighted the stark contrast between former President Trump’s respect for the military and his handling of the affairs of the armed forces, President Joe Biden’s lack of respect for the military. They pointed to Biden’s widely criticized and disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which they described as troubling. They argued that the withdrawal resulted in American troop losses, additional lives at risk, and increased enemy confidence.
Key Takeaways:
- Gold Star families, who tragically lost loved ones during the Afghanistan withdrawal, expressed their anger and frustration at President Joe Biden.
- Former President Donald Trump and Representative Michael Waltz are holding meetings with these Gold Star families on the anniversary of the last American plane leaving Afghanistan.
- Families expressed feelings of being betrayed and receiving conflicting information regarding the circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths. Additionally, they criticized the treatment they received from President Biden.