Five Years After Abbey Gate, Republicans Say Biden's Failures Still Haven't Been Answered For

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Five years ago, an ISIS-K terrorist detonated a suicide bomb at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing 13 American servicemembers in the deadliest day for U.S. forces in Afghanistan in over a decade. On this solemn anniversary, Republican Study Committee (RSC) Members honor the memory of these American heroes and the sacrifice they made in service to our country.

The botched withdrawal from Afghanistan was the direct result of the Biden-Harris administration’s failure to adequately prepare for the operation and account for the consequences of their decisions. RSC Members remain resolute that a catastrophe of this magnitude must never happen again.

President Trump and Congressional Republicans have moved decisively to rebuild the strength our fallen heroes deserved. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act delivered a $150 billion investment into America’s national security, equipping our servicemembers to meet an increasingly evolving threat landscape. House Republicans also passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, taking a major step toward restoring American deterrence and rebuilding the United States as the world’s preeminent fighting force.

RSC Members released the following statements:

“Five years ago at Abbey Gate, 13 courageous American servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out a dangerous mission to bring others to safety. We will never forget their bravery, and we continue to mourn with and pray for the families. This solemn anniversary is also a reminder of the catastrophic failures that led to the attack during the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. Honoring the fallen requires accountability and resolve. We must continue to take the necessary steps to ensure our warfighters have the leadership and resources they need to prevent a tragedy of this magnitude from ever happening again,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. 

“The 13 heroes of Abbey Gate represented the very best of our nation—standing in the breach to save others with extraordinary courage and selflessness. Having made the ultimate sacrifice, their unwavering devotion to duty will forever be etched in our hearts and honored by a grateful nation,” said Rep. Rick Crawford (AK-01), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

“Abbey Gate showed the world what American weakness looks like. Thirteen heroes lost their lives because the Biden-Harris administration projected chaos instead of strength, and our adversaries took notice. Five years later, Republicans have worked tirelessly to restore what was lost that day. From rebuilding our military to reasserting American resolve on the world stage, we are proving that the era of American weakness is over. We owe it to the fallen at Abbey Gate to make sure this country is never caught in that position again,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11).

“We must never forget the August 26th, 2021, Surrender in Afghanistan, one of the most disastrous military and foreign policy mistakes in American history. Sadly, 13 brave U.S. servicemembers were killed after successfully preventing resurgence of terrorism for 20 years. Biden capitulation to the Taliban has made Afghanistan a safe haven for terrorists, putting all Americans at risk. Today, we remember the lives lost, and the sacrifices made for our freedom and safety in America,” said Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02).

“Five years ago, 13 brave American servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice at Abbey Gate during President Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. Today, we honor their heroism and stand with their Gold Star Families and the other wounded survivors. Their courage and sacrifice will forever be part of the story of our Nation, and we will remain committed to ensuring that American lives and American strength is never taken for granted again,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13).

“Today, we remember the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation at Abbey Gate. Their sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the courage our servicemembers display every day and our responsibility to ensure their sacrifices were not in vain. We owe it to their families and every American in uniform to ensure our military and leadership are strong enough to prevent a failure like Abbey Gate from ever happening again,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03).

“Five years after the tragedy at Abbey Gate, we remember the 13 brave American servicemembers who gave their lives protecting our country and the others who were wounded or forever changed by that day. Their sacrifice demands more than remembrance. It demands that we learn from our failures, continue to restore American deterrence, and ensure our military has the resources, capabilities, and leadership necessary to protect Americans and defeat those who seek to harm us. We owe it to the fallen and their families to make sure a failure of this scale never happens again,” said Rep. Matt Van Epps (TN-07).

“Afghanistan is personal to me. I wore the uniform there. I served alongside men and women who gave everything they had to that mission, and I saw firsthand the price they and their families paid. Five years ago, at Abbey Gate, 13 American servicemembers were killed while carrying out one of the most difficult missions imaginable. They were doing exactly what their country asked of them until their final moments. Those 13 heroes, and every American who served in Afghanistan, deserved leadership equal to their courage and sacrifice. Instead, the Biden Administration’s disastrous withdrawal ended in chaos, abandoned our allies, and handed Afghanistan back to the Taliban. On this anniversary, we remember the 13 lives stolen at Abbey Gate, we honor every American who served and sacrificed in Afghanistan, and we recommit ourselves to making sure our country never repeats those failures. Their sacrifice demands nothing less,” said Rep. Rich McCormick (GA-07).

“Today we remember and honor the 13 servicemembers who were tragically killed at Abbey Gate in the final days of the war in Afghanistan. Their deaths are a painful reminder of the failure in leadership we saw that day, and it is our responsibility not to forget the families whose sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters were returned home in a flag-draped coffin. We owe it to them — and to every American in uniform — to end the era of forever wars once and for all,” said Rep. Tom Barrett (MI-07).

“Five years after the attack at Abbey Gate, we pause to remember the 13 American servicemembers who gave their lives and honor the families who will always carry that loss. Their sacrifice demands that we learn from the failures surrounding our withdrawal from Afghanistan, rebuild American military strength and ensure our servicemembers are never again placed in such a vulnerable position,” said Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18).