Anger Mounts as Biden Attends “Dignified Transfer” of 13 Troops Killed in Kabul

By Al Mayadeen
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
30 Aug 2021 10:06

Instead of matching his “America is back” rhetoric, Biden is facing mounting international and internal criticism in the wake of the Kabul bombings.

Biden traveled to Dover, Del. on Aug. 29 to attend the dignified transfer of 13 US service members killed in a bombing in Afghanistan

US President Joe Biden attended a "dignified transfer" event Sunday to mark the homecoming of the remains of US service members killed in Kabul last week.

The process, known in the US military as a "dignified transfer," has become a solemn ritual for US presidents in recent years. Barack Obama made two trips. Donald Trump made four.

FALLEN HEROES: President Biden and first lady Jill grieved with families of the 13 U.S. military troops killed in the suicide attack near Kabul airport as the remains of the fallen returned to U.S. soil from Afghanistan. https://t.co/8VLm63c3Xi pic.twitter.com/MkdlJu9Hfm
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 29, 2021

During the ritual of the "dignified transfer," the only sounds heard were the quiet commands of the honor guards in combat uniform who carried the flag-draped cases, the hum of the C-17 aircraft that had transported the slain marines, and the occasional sob of the bereaved.

Biden glanced on his watch during the ceremony

One particular moment has gone viral: Biden glancing at his watch during the ceremony.

Once again, Biden faces heat for how he’s handling his public-facing duties, according to US media.

Our leaders are mindless and weak, tempting our enemies, this is among the saddest periods in US history: Joe Biden Checks Watch During The Dignified Transfer Of 13 American Heroes Killed By His Incompetence - https://t.co/RogVTFdiNS via @gatewaypundit
— Lou Dobbs (@LouDobbs) August 29, 2021

The dead ranged in age from 20 to 31. Five were just 20 — born not long before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Thirteen US service members and at least 95 Afghans were killed in twin explosions Thursday. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack.

Simultaneously, the US launched a retaliatory strike Friday, killing two "high-profile" ISIS targets in a drone strike in Afghanistan, the Pentagon reported.

The US subsequently carried a drone strike Sunday on a car in Kabul, declaring that it killed an ISIS suicide car bomber preparing to attack the airport. Meanwhile, witnesses have reported that the attack has in fact executed a civilian family of six which included three children.

Calls for Biden to resign

Family members of the slain marines expressed anger and disappointment regarding the US government handled the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan.

California carpenter Steve Nikoui, father of a slain US marine in the Kabul airport explosion, has lately expressed flashes of fury along with his anguish, adding that he doesn’t have much love for President Joe Biden at the moment.

“I blame my own military leaders… Biden turned his back on him. That’s it.”

Two families even decided to take place out of view, forbidding their children’s transfers to be open to media coverage.

US officials Angry at Biden

Seven months into Biden’s administration, many critics are vocalizing their criticism of the American withdrawal of Afghanistan, blaming Biden.

On his account, the third-ranked House Republican, Elise Stefanik, criticized Biden’s policy towards the last incidents in Afghanistan and said in a tweet that “Biden has blood on his hands.”

Senator Josh Hawley and Republican Marsha Blackburn both shared the same stance, calling on Biden to resign.

Kevin McCarthy, the Republican minority leader in Congress, remarked that Biden's actions demonstrate weakness and incompetence, adding that in order to be a successful leader, one must have the confidence of the American people, a thing that Biden had lost.