Republicans have been quick to criticize and double down on their criticism of US President Joe Biden over the evacuation efforts that took place in Afghanistan. This week, many have caught right-wing critics in a lie when they falsely claimed Biden was not present during the dignified transfer of US troops that were killed in the bombing last week.
Right-wing media outlets and figures have criticized Biden for not attending the dignified transfer of the US troops that were killed during a suicide bombing at Kabul as evacuation efforts were underway. Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham along with other right-wing figures like Ryan Fournier, Richard Grenell, and Buzz Patterson, claimed that Biden not only did not attend the dignified transfer but sent no representatives on his behalf to receive the remains of the troops that were killed.
However, CNN caught said right-wing figures in a lie over their claims that were proven to be false. Biden, first lady Dr. Jill Biden, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken were present at the dignified transfer at Dover air force base in Delaware Sunday morning. CNN went on to point out that the false claims the right-wing figures were making were made hours before the remains of the US troops actually arrived at the air force base.
The posts of those right-wing commenters were soon deleted.
Meanwhile, following the completion of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden released a statement expressing gratitude to the US service members and officials who made the evacuation efforts possible. Over 100,000 Afghans and Americans were successfully flown out of the country as they look to flee from the Taliban’s resurgence. Biden also announced that he will address the nation on his decision not to extend US presence in Afghanistan on August 31.
“I want to thank our commanders and the men and women serving under them for their execution of the dangerous retrograde from Afghanistan as scheduled — in the early morning hours of August 31, Kabul time — with no further loss of American lives. The past 17 days have seen our troops execute the largest airlift in US history, evacuating over 120,000 US citizens, citizens of our allies, and Afghan allies of the United States. They have done it with unmatched courage, professionalism, and resolve. Now, our 20-year military presence in Afghanistan has ended,” said Biden in the statement.