On his last full day as president-elect, Donald Trump visited the graves of three U.S. soldiers killed in the Afghanistan pullout, a tragedy he blamed on the Biden administration. The soldiers died during an attack in Kabul on August 26, 2021. Trump, who criticized Biden’s handling of the withdrawal, laid wreaths at their grave sites at Arlington National Cemetery. He has built relationships with the families of these soldiers and has kept the focus on the withdrawal during his campaign and presidency.
After winning re-election, Trump’s transition team considered court-martialing senior military officers involved in the pullout. Biden defended his decision to end the war in Afghanistan, blaming the constraints imposed by the previous Trump administration. Trump’s deal with the Taliban led to the withdrawal of all U.S. forces in 2021.
Trump was joined by Vice President-elect JD Vance and others at the cemetery. During his visit, a confrontation with a worker occurred, as Trump’s team tried to record at the site. Despite this incident, Trump’s campaign stated that he was invited by Gold Star families of the fallen soldiers.
Overall, Trump’s visit to the cemetery was a somber reminder of the sacrifices made by U.S. service members in Afghanistan. His actions reflect his commitment to honoring the fallen and keeping the withdrawal and its aftermath in the public eye.
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