OAN Staff Sophia Flores
7:00 PM –Monday, August 25, 2025
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation designating August 26th as the official day of remembrance in relation to the 13 U.S. service members who were tragically killed at Abbey Gate, four years ago in Kabul, Afghanistan, during former President Joe Biden’s disastrous withdrawal.
On Monday, Trump welcomed Gold Star Families to the White House, calling the airport attack one of the most devastating and humiliating episodes in U.S. history.
“That was a terrible day,” Trump said. “And I think it was the worst day, and in many ways the most embarrassing day, in the history of our country.”
On August 26, 2021, an ISIS-K operative, released by the Taliban less than two months early, carried out a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, the primary entry point for evacuation efforts following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
The attack claimed the lives of 13 American service members and 169 Afghan civilians, while injuring 45 U.S. troops and more than 160 civilians. It marked the deadliest day for U.S. forces in a decade.
The attack came after Biden’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan back in 2021. He argued at the time that he felt it was the right moment to pull out U.S. forces in order to end what he labeled a “forever war.” Biden also argued that it was time for Afghan forces to take primary responsibility for their own security.
Meanwhile at the White House, Trump continued to honor the fallen and wounded U.S. service members who endured the horrors of that day. He vowed that the United States would never abandon its troops or citizens abroad as long as he serves as Commander-in-Chief.
“As our Nation solemnly marks 4 years since the attack at Abbey Gate, we honor the memory of the 13 brave souls and every military service member to ever die in the line of duty — and we renew our resolve to protect American lives, defend American interests, and uphold American sovereignty,” the proclamation the president signed stated.
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2025, as a day in commemoration of the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate. I encourage all Americans to remember the heroism of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and the Gold Star Families who carry on their proud legacy.”
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