Families of Kabul bombing victims confront Harris on Capitol Hill

On Capitol Hill, family members of the 13 U.S. troops killed in the August 2021 Kabul airport bombing expressed their grief and frustration towards Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration. They criticized the government for its handling of the situation leading up to the attack, which occurred at the Abbey Gate of the airport. The remarks were made during a news conference organized by House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul, who highlighted a Republican report that scrutinizes the actions of the White House, State Department, and National Security Council regarding the bombing. Coral Briseno, mother of Marine Cpl. Daegan Page, voiced her concerns, stating that the current administration's decisions could lead to more military casualties. Nicole Gee, another grieving parent, emphasized that they did not choose to be in the public eye but sought answers for their children's deaths. The families have recently gained visibility, participating in events such as the Republican National Convention and memorial ceremonies. The report released by McCaul's committee, which spans 353 pages, attributes the collapse of the Afghan military to the U.S. decision to withdraw forces, a move initiated under the Trump administration and continued by President Biden. McCaul expressed his determination to hold officials accountable, insisting that the American public deserves clarity on the events surrounding the bombing. The families' public confrontation with Harris reflects a growing discontent with the administration's policies and actions, as they demand accountability and seek to ensure that such tragedies do not recur in the future.