Watch: Abbey Gate Survivor Recounts ‘Disgraceful’ Face-to-Face Moment With Biden
Marine Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews recounts his meeting with President Joe Biden at Walter Reed Hospital following a devastating suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The encounter, which took place during Vargas-Andrews’ recovery from life-threatening injuries, sheds light on the administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and its aftermath.
Vargas-Andrews lost his right arm and left leg in the Abbey Gate attack.
He described a surreal scene as the President and First Lady Jill Biden entered his hospital room to the Daily Caller during a sit down interview.
After an initial exchange with Vargas-Andrews’ mother, Biden began speaking about his own son’s military service and passing. However, the Marine sergeant notes that the President made no mention of the Afghanistan withdrawal that had nearly cost him his life.
The interaction took an awkward turn when Biden extended his right hand to shake Vargas-Andrews’.
“I’m just looking at him. And he doesn’t even say anything. I’m just like, ‘I don’t have an arm,’” Vargas-Andrews recounted.
Without a word, the President then grasped the few fingers protruding from the Marine’s cast.
This meeting occurred after Vargas-Andrews had undergone numerous surgeries and near-death experiences.
He detailed his harrowing journey, including multiple resuscitations and a double pulmonary embolism that left him temporarily deceased.
The Marine’s criticism extends beyond his personal encounter with the President. He expressed dismay at Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent debate performance, where she defended the administration’s withdrawal decision without acknowledging its consequences.
“It’s just, I mean, it’s disgraceful,” Vargas-Andrews said of Harris’s remarks.
“I’m sure she did support it, as she said she was the last one out of the room,” he added. “… And it’s like, what was it for? What did they go and sacrifice over there for? It’s just dishonoring to everyone that served.”
During another part of the interview, Vargas-Andrews alleged that Harris and her office have likely not reached out to families of the Abbey Gate victims because that would admit “that blood is on their hands.”
The Biden-Harris administration has faced ongoing scrutiny for its handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, as highlighted by the Daily Caller.
Gold Star families have repeatedly criticized the President for the operation and for what they perceive as inadequate recognition of their fallen loved ones.
Despite this, the administration has maintained its stance, with national security council spokesman John Kirby stating that Biden was “proud” of how the operation was conducted.
Vargas-Andrews also shared his thoughts on former President Trump’s recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he met with Gold Star families.
The Marine described Trump’s demeanor as “somber, but friendly,” contrasting it with the current administration’s approach.
“[Trump] took the time to talk with anyone that wanted to talk to him, and the Secret Service wasn’t crowded around him or anything like that,” Vargas-Andrews recounted.
In a pointed message to Harris, who has never reached out to him or the Gold Star families, Vargas-Andrews said, “You need to answer for what you’ve done, for what everyone’s done, hold yourself accountable.”
As Vargas-Andrews continues his recovery and pursues new challenges, including scuba diving and skydiving, he remains committed to his motto: “never a victim.”
His story serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of policy decisions and the importance of accountability in leadership.
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