OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Donald Trump released a powerful video on Thursday night following the tragic terrorist attacks in Afghanistan that left at least 13 U.S. service members and 90 Afghans dead.
“As one nation, America mourns the loss of our brave and brilliant American service members in a savage and barbaric terrorist attack in Afghanistan,” Trump began.
“These noble American warriors laid down their lives in the line of duty. They sacrificed themselves for the country that they loved, racing against time to rescue their fellow citizens from harm’s way. They died as American Heroes, and our nation will honor their memory forever,” Trump added.
“I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of those we have lost. Today, all Americans grieve alongside you. Together, we also pray that God will heal the other courageous American service members who were wounded in this heinous attack,” he continued.
“In addition, our hearts are with the families of all the innocent civilians who died, and with the many men, women, and children who were terribly injured in this act of evil,” Trump added.
“This tragedy should never have taken place. It should never have happened, and it would not have happened if I were your President,” she said.
“Over the past few weeks, I know that many Americans have felt profound sorrow and even pain watching the events taking place in Afghanistan, and perhaps none more so than the veterans of that 20-year war,” Trump continued. “Many of them answered the call proudly and without hesitation after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Every American who served in Afghanistan has made tremendous sacrifices for our country.
“On behalf of your fellow citizens, I want you to know that those sacrifices were not made in vain. We know what you did. We know how brave you were, and we thank you. We salute you and we honor you for all time. I hope that every American will join me in continuing to pray for the safe return of all U.S. citizens and soldiers from Afghanistan in the coming days,” Trump said. “Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.”
WATCH:
WATCH: President Trump addresses the nation amid Biden's Afghanistan catastrophe and the death of 13 U.S Service members after a terror attack at Kabul airport pic.twitter.com/ImDgVZM1BY
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) August 27, 2021
Joe Biden has been accused of “treason” and of providing the Taliban a “hit list” of Americans to set their sights on by Republican Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw.
The representative took to Twitter on Thursday after it was reported by Politico reporter Lara Seligman that “U.S. officials gave the Taliban a list of names of U.S. citizens, green card holders & Afghan allies to grant entry into the outer perimeter of the city’s airport, prompting outrage behind the scenes from lawmakers and military officials.”
SCOOP: U.S. officials gave the Taliban a list of names of U.S. citizens, green card holders & Afghan allies to grant entry into the outer perimeter of the city’s airport, prompting outrage behind the scenes from lawmakers and military officials. https://t.co/WHHzStyynk
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) August 26, 2021
The Texas representative was furious with the news.
“If true, this qualifies as borderline treason. We need to find out who is responsible for giving the Taliban a hit list and they need to go to prison,” he said on Twitter.
If true, this qualifies as borderline treason. We need to find out who is responsible for giving the Taliban a hit list and they need to go to prison. https://t.co/WTkeRytHmN
— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) August 26, 2021
A defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that whoever did this has put Afghans on a “kill list.”
“Basically, they just put all those Afghans on a kill list,” they said. “It’s just appalling and shocking and makes you feel unclean.”
After the Taliban took control of Kabul the joint U.S. military and diplomatic coordination team at the Kabul airport gave the Taliban a list of people that it planned to evacuate.
The names included Afghans who had worked with the United States.
In addition to the Afghans, United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, and dual nationals were on the list.
“They had to do that because of the security situation the White House created by allowing the Taliban to control everything outside the airport,” a United States official said.
