Former President Donald Trump is leveraging a campaign tactic that places the blame for the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan on Vice President Kamala Harris.
This strategy aims to redirect scrutiny from President Biden to Harris, even though the withdrawal, which marked the end of America’s longest war, was fraught with chaos and tragedy. The withdrawal saw the collapse of the Afghan government, the overwhelming of Kabul airport, a deadly terrorist attack, and a harrowing evacuation process.
President Kamala Harris and Ex-President Donald Trump
Trump’s campaign is seizing on Harris’s April 2021 CNN interview, where she endorsed the decision to exit Afghanistan, as a means to criticize the administration’s handling of the situation. Chris Tuttle, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, sees this as a politically advantageous move, emphasizing that revisiting the chaotic withdrawal could resonate with voters.
Critics of Trump point to his own administration’s role in the failed planning of the Afghan exit, specifically the decision to bypass the Afghan government and negotiate directly with the Taliban, which left Biden with limited options. A former senior officer labeled the withdrawal a “catastrophe” and criticized Trump for capitalizing on the tragedy of the 13 soldiers killed in the Abbey Gate bombing.
Despite this, Trump is portraying himself as a decisive leader committed to protecting U.S. service members, a contrast to Biden and Harris, who have been criticized for their responses to the soldiers’ deaths. Trump has engaged with Gold Star families and participated in solemn events, while Biden and Harris have focused on behind-the-scenes support for affected families.
Polls indicate that while foreign policy may not be the top issue for voters, Trump’s attempt to paint himself as a strong leader is remarkable. However, critics argue that shifting blame is ineffective when voters recognize shared responsibility for the Afghan withdrawal.
Veterans’ groups, like Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), stress the importance of reevaluating military authorization and supporting Afghan allies, highlighting the ongoing need for comprehensive reform and aid.
