President Joe Biden is facing accusations from grieving families who claim he delayed a ceremony honoring 13 U.S. service members killed in a terrorist attack in Kabul by reportedly napping aboard Air Force One.
The alleged delay has been criticized as disrespectful by families, further fueling controversy over the administration's handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, as the New York Post reports.
On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate near Kabul International Airport took the lives of 13 U.S. service members and more than 170 Afghan civilians. The attack unfolded amidst the final chaotic days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending two decades of military presence in the region.
The tragedy was one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in years, adding to the mounting criticism of the withdrawal's execution. The service members who lost their lives were participating in efforts to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies as the Taliban regained control of the country. To honor the fallen, President Biden and first lady Jill Biden attended a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. The event, designed to pay respects to the service members, became the center of controversy due to claims of an unexpected delay.
Several family members of the fallen service members accused President Biden of delaying the ceremony by approximately three hours. Roice McCollum, the sister of Marine Rylee McCollum, stated that a military officer informed her the delay was due to Biden napping aboard Air Force One. “Biden made us wait an extra three hours to receive the bodies of our dead family members because he couldn’t pull it together,” McCollum said. Her allegations were echoed by other families present at the ceremony.
Darin Hoover, the father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, expressed similar frustration, describing the wait as interminable. He characterized the delay as a further insult to the sacrifices made by the fallen service members and their families.
In addition to the alleged delay, Biden faced criticism during the ceremony for appearing to check his watch multiple times. Families interpreted the gesture as dismissive and disrespectful in a moment meant to honor the fallen.
Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, corroborated the concerns about Biden's conduct during the ceremony. Sgt. Gee was among the 13 service members killed in the Abbey Gate attack, further heightening emotions among her grieving loved ones. The combined claims of a delay and watch-checking have sparked outrage among the families and fueled wider criticism of the administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
The White House has denied the allegations surrounding Biden’s conduct during the ceremony. A spokesman for the administration refuted claims of the nap and described the watch-checking accusations as inaccurate.
In a statement, the spokesman highlighted Biden’s public comments and private letters to the families, expressing his gratitude and respect for the service members. “These 13 Americans were patriots in the highest sense, and we owe them and their families a sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay,” the statement read. Supporters of the administration have also dismissed the allegations as part of a broader political effort to discredit the president amid an already controversial withdrawal.
The allegations against Biden during the Dover ceremony are part of the wider backlash over the Afghanistan withdrawal. Critics from both sides of the political spectrum have questioned the administration’s decision-making during the evacuation process.
The suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, along with the loss of American lives and the chaotic scenes from Kabul airport, have been frequently cited as evidence of poor planning and execution. For many, the incident underscores broader concerns about the U.S. strategy in ending its involvement in Afghanistan. Families of the fallen have continued to voice their frustrations publicly, calling for accountability and greater respect for the sacrifices of their loved ones.
The controversy over the dignified transfer ceremony has added another layer to an already polarizing issue. Some view the allegations as deeply troubling, while others see them as an attempt to score political points. The debate has highlighted the challenges of balancing political leadership with personal empathy in times of national grief. As the nation continues to grapple with the legacy of its longest war, these incidents remain a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict.
