Trump Signs Proclamation Commemorating Abbey Gate Attack 4th Anniversary

.@POTUS signs the proclamation commemorating the 4th anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate https://t.co/lvHXqjKHgg pic.twitter.com/AaLpBgYspz

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 25, 2025

From President Trump's proclamation:

At exactly 5:36pm on August 26, 2021, a barbaric ISIS-K terrorist — one of the prisoners set free by the Taliban less than two months earlier — detonated a suicide bomb at a civilian gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the main entry point for an evacuation operation. As a result, 13 brave American service members were killed, 45 were wounded, and more than 160 civilians were injured, resulting in the single deadliest day for United States forces in a decade.

In what will be remembered as one of the most shameful and heartbreaking moments in our Nation’s collective memory, Joe Biden checked his watch — and time stood still — as a Sailor, Soldier, and 11 Marines returned home in flag-draped coffins, solemnly escorted by their brothers and sisters in arms. We will never forget the names of the 13 brave souls who shed their blood for our Nation: Staff Sergeant Darin T. Hoover, USMC; Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, USMC; Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, USMC; Corporal Hunter Lopez, USMC; Corporal Daegan W. Page, USMC; Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, USMC; Lance Corporal David L. Espinoza, USMC; Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, USMC; Lance Corporal Rylee J. McCollum, USMC; Lance Corporal Dylan R. Merola, USMC; Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, USMC; Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, USN; and Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, USA.

As Commander in Chief, I will never allow our military service members to be so betrayed, our friends to be so abandoned, and our credibility to be so destroyed.

To those who lost a son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, or family member at Abbey Gate in 2021 — we offer you our enduring love and our unwavering devotion. To those who horrifically suffered life-altering wounds — we extend our unending support and eternal gratitude for your unsung sacrifices. To those who served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and beyond — you should be tremendously proud of your service to our Nation and your devotion to preserving our freedoms.

God bless the victims of the Abbey Gate attack, the 13 American heroes killed and the dozens of other American service members injured.