Fifth Anniversary of the Attack at Abbey Gate

This Proclamation, issued on August 26, 2026, commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan. It serves as both a memorial to the fallen and a sharp critique of the 2021 withdrawal strategy. Here is a breakdown of the key elements of the Proclamation: The heart of the document is a formal tribute to the 13 U.S. service members killed in the attack. By listing each individual by name, rank, and branch, the Proclamation aligns with the ongoing efforts of Gold Star families to ensure these individuals are remembered as heroes of the final days of the Afghan War. The Names Honored: Army: Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss. Navy: Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak. Marine Corps: Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover; Sgts. Johanny Rosario Pichardo and Nicole L. Gee; Corps. Hunter Lopez, Daegan W. Page, and Humberto A. Sanchez; Lance Corps. David L. Espinoza, Jared M. Schmitz, Rylee J. McCollum, Dylan R. Merola, and Kareem M. Nikoui. The Proclamation provides a specific military and political narrative of the events leading up to the bombing. It focuses on three primary failures attributed to the Biden administration: The Abandonment of Bagram Airfield: The text argues that withdrawing from Bagram in the "middle of the night" without notifying Afghan allies was a strategic pivot point that led to the collapse. Prisoner Release: It highlights that the Abbey Gate bomber was one of the thousands of prisoners released from the Parwan/Bagram prison after the base was surrendered. Strategic vs. Political Gains: The text claims that political timelines were prioritized over military reality, resulting in "one of the worst military disasters" in U.S. history. A significant detail in this Proclamation is the President’s statement: "I was proud to apprehend the ISIS-K terrorist responsible for the atrocity and bring him to face the swift sword of American justice." In the context of this document’s timeline (2026), this suggests that a major counter-terrorism operation occurred during the second Trump term to capture or kill the specific individual behind the Abbey Gate planning, fulfilling a campaign-style promise of accountability. The President officially designates August 26, 2026, as a day of commemoration. It calls on Americans to: Reflect on the heroism of the 13 fallen. Support Gold Star Families. Renew a "sacred promise" to never repeat the perceived institutional failures that led to the event. 1. Honoring the "Abbey Gate 13"2. A Critique of the 2021 Withdrawal3. The Claim of Retribution4. Commemorative Purpose