An incident involving President Joe Biden has stirred public controversy.
According to the Daily Caller, The Daily Mail reported that Biden allegedly took a nap on Air Force One, causing a three-hour delay at a ceremony for fallen Marines, which angered their families.
During what was supposed to be a solemn dignified transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base, the grieving families of Marines who died in a recent suicide bombing in Kabul were unexpectedly made to wait. This event coincided with the chaotic end of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. A military officer reportedly informed the waiting families that the delay was due to President Biden needing to nap aboard his plane.
Roice McCollum, the sister of Marine Rylee McCollum who was killed in the Kabul attack, expressed her dissatisfaction with President Biden's actions. "(Biden) made us wait an extra three hours to receive the bodies of our dead family members because he couldn’t pull it together," said Roice McCollum, clearly upset over the delay.
Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, was similarly critical. He labeled the President a "doddering old fool," highlighting a broad sentiment of dissatisfaction and disrespect among the victims' families.
In response to these allegations, a White House spokesperson firmly denied the claims, stating that the accusation of Biden napping during such a critical time was untrue.
However, the incident has brought additional scrutiny to President Biden's handling of the entire withdrawal process from Afghanistan. Critics amplified questions about his fitness for office as they criticized the withdrawal, including military, intelligence, and media experts, for its poor execution and the subsequent security risks. These risks included the inadvertent admission of over 65 Afghan individuals flagged as potential threats into the United States.
A Wall Street Journal report disclosed that Biden’s team often managed his responsibilities. This aspect fueled further speculation on the true leadership behind the withdrawal decision-making, despite assertions from Biden's top generals that the President himself made the call to withdraw.
Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, then-chair of the House Armed Services Committee, pointed to difficulties in obtaining clear communications from Biden during the withdrawal process. Adding to the controversy, reports revealed that President Biden reportedly forgot key documentation that argued against boosting U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
Darin Hoover raised concerns about the decision-making process, questioning Biden's involvement and suggesting external influence or neglect: “If the President was not answering his phone or taking advice from anyone, who really made the final decision to go through with the withdrawal?” he questioned.
The backlash over this incident encapsulates the broader dissatisfaction with how authorities handled the withdrawal, raising concerns about leadership and accountability.
The dignified transfer, a ceremony meant to honor the bravery and sacrifice of these Marines, unfortunately, became mired in controversy due to what many perceived as a lack of respect or attention from the highest levels of government.
This incident at Dover Air Force Base not only delayed the ceremony for three hours but also added to the collective grief and frustration of the families attending, hoping for closure. The repercussions of this event continue to affect public perception of the Biden administration's efficiency and the president's sensitivity towards the armed forces and their families.
