From the Trump campaign:
On Sunday, Gold Star Families who lost their loved ones in the Harris-Biden Administration’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan released the following joint statement and heartfelt video messages in a direct response to Kamala Harris’ false, hypocritical, and disrespectful statement attacking President Trump:
“We, the families of the brave service members who were tragically killed in the Abbey Gate bombing, are appalled by Vice President Kamala Harris’ recent attempts to politicize President Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery. President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s deaths. He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.
Vice President Harris bears responsibility for the deaths of our sons and daughters. Her administration’s catastrophic mishandling of the Afghanistan withdrawal directly led to the murder of 13 service members, including our children. Despite our multiple requests for a meeting to discuss the loss of our loved ones, Vice President Harris has repeatedly ignored us, showing a complete lack of empathy and accountability. This refusal to face the consequences of her administration’s decisions is a deep betrayal to us as Gold Star families.
President Trump, on the other hand, has been the only Commander-in-Chief to consistently recognize the heroism of our children. His attendance at Arlington was not for political gain but to stand with us, to grieve with us, and to honor the legacy of those who gave everything for this nation. His leadership during his time in office was strong, and we have no doubt that if he were still Commander-in-Chief, our children would be alive today.
Vice President Harris has proven herself unfit to serve as Commander-in-Chief. Her actions, both in the failure of the Afghanistan withdrawal and in her disgraceful politicization of this anniversary, have shown that she lacks the judgment, compassion, and leadership required for the position. We will continue to hold her accountable for the role she played in the deaths of our children, and we will not stand by as she disrespects their memory. America deserves better. Our children deserved better.”
Misty Fuoco, Sister of Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Cheryl Juels, Aunt of Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Christy Shamblin, Mother-in-law of Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Mark Schmitz, Father of Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
Jaclyn Schmitz, Stepmother of Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
Herman Lopez, Father of Cpl. Hunter Lopez
Jim McCollum, Father of Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum
Steve Nikoui, Father of Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
Coral Doolittle, Mother of Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez
Darin Hoover, Father of Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
Kelly Barnett, Mother of Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Mark Schmitz, Gold Star Father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Jaclyn Schmitz, Gold Star Stepmother of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Coral Doolittle, Gold Star Mother of Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Steve Nikoui, Gold Star Father of Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Jim McCollum, Gold Star Father of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Christy Shamblin, Gold Star Mother-In-Law of Sergeant Nicole Gee
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Herman Lopez, Gold Star Father of Corporal Hunter Lopez
WATCH: Message to Kamala from Darin Hoover, Gold Star Father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover
