Biden claims ‘We leave no veteran behind’ — but vets bemoan that’s not always the case
Caring for veterans has long been personal for President Biden, whose late son Beau served in Iraq. Getty Images
President Biden proclaimed, “In America, we leave no veteran behind” on X Wednesday — but an outcry of veterans quickly bemoaned that’s not always the case.
A cacophony of veterans and observers highlighted the bevy of American warriors who have been forsaken both on the battlefield and at home.
In America, we leave no veteran behind. pic.twitter.com/O5iw3ASaGV
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 22, 2024
An outcry of veterans and critics came forward and highlighted the bevy of American warriors who have been forsaken both on the battlefield and at home. Getty Images
“Clearly the Americans in Afghanistan, the 255 from Israel, and the 23 from Haiti would strongly disagree with this statement given his pattern of abandonment,” Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), an Army veteran, told The Post.
“Why leave veterans behind when they can be used as steps for those at the top? Gratitude stings in the wounds of sacrifices when the organization refuses to evolve,” Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who authored the book “Crisis in Command,” told The Post.
Scheller was relieved of his duties in August 2021 after he publicly ripped into the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“With all due respect EFFF NO,” Chad Robichaux, a Marine veteran who helped spearhead the largest known private evacuation from Afghanistan, told The Post.
“Joe Biden abandoned 13 American soldiers in Afghanistan and then sent MILLIONS of YOUR tax dollars to the Taliban, who is harboring their killers,” Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), who lost his legs in Afghanistan, said.
Joe Biden abandoned 13 American soldiers in Afghanistan and then sent MILLIONS of YOUR tax dollars to the Taliban, who is harboring their killers. https://t.co/4ZpZMejb2c
— Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) May 23, 2024
Many netizens pointed to the 13 service members who were killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing at Kabul’s international airport during the chaotic withdrawal in August 2021.
Jeremy Redfern, the press secretary for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis posted an image of Biden, 81, ostensibly checking his watch during the dignified transfer ceremony for the murdered Americans at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware after the Kabul bombing.
“If that was true why did veterans end up getting Americans out Afghanistan, during the pull-out, Sudan when you refused to get everyone out of Israel on Oct 7 with hostages still being held by Hamas as well as Haiti just a few months ago,” Mark “Oz” Geist, founder of the Shadow Warriors Project, told The Post.
Geist is a former Marine who was part of the annex security team that fought in Benghazi in 2012.
https://t.co/oCKo78ZYur pic.twitter.com/yaHDYT4zeg
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) May 23, 2024
“A U.S. Marine has languished in a Russian gulag for years because Biden traded for a WNBA player instead His name is Paul Whelan,” Townhall writer John Hasson wrote.
A U.S. Marine has languished in a Russian gulag for years because Biden traded for a WNBA player instead
His name is Paul Whelan https://t.co/PAuGxjUuE1— John Hasson (@SonofHas) May 23, 2024
“Another outrageously disrespectful, false statement from @POTUS. When your administration left Afghanistan, it left nearly 1,000 Americans and many more of our allies behind,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said in a statement.
“Our veterans and Gold Star Families see through this. Every American sees through this.”
CHM @RepMcCaul: "Another outrageously disrespectful, false statement from @POTUS. When your administration left Afghanistan, it left nearly 1,000 Americans and many more of our allies behind. Our veterans and Gold Star Families see through this. Every American sees through this. https://t.co/gMEtpYrER1
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) May 23, 2024
“People in the comments are talking about those 13 soldiers left behind in Afghanistan in the comments. I’m thinking about how the VA has people whose job it is to figure out ways to not give veterans the care they need and to give them the bare minimum when they can’t,” user Viktor Ulfrikson wrote.
People in the comments are talking about those 13 soldiers left behind in Afghanistan in the comments.
I’m thinking about how the VA has people whose job it is to figure out ways to not give veterans the care they need and to give them the bare minimum when they can’t. https://t.co/ry2skKg9xw— Viktor Ulfrikson 🇻🇦 (@genericanimecat) May 22, 2024
“There’s 35,574 homeless veterans,” progressive pundit Kyle Kulinski chided, citing figures from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
There’s 35,574 homeless veterans
— Secular Talk🎙 (@KyleKulinski) May 23, 2024
Army veteran Doug Cohen attends a Stand Down event designed to help veterans who are homeless or housing insecure. Getty Images
Biden has long underscored that veterans’ struggles are near and dear to his heart. His son Beau served in the Iraq War and died in 2015 at the age of 46 from brain cancer.
The president has long theorized that his son’s diagnosis was the result of exposure to burn pits during his military service.
This week, the 81-year-old president participated in several events to tout the PACT Act, which is nearing its two-year anniversary.
That law provided funding to bolster support for veterans who were exposed to hazardous substances including from burn pits during their service.
Veterans often return home with physical and mental health trauma from their services overseas. Getty Images
While marking the 1 millionth claim under the PACT Act and promoting it in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Tuesday, Biden acknowledged that the US has had shortcomings when it comes to aiding its veterans of war.
“Veterans, you are the solid steel spine of our nation, and that’s not hyperbole,” he exulted during his remarks, per a White House transcript.
“Just as you have done your duty to America in the past … we’re now, finally, beginning to do our duty to you.”