WATCH: President Trump Lays Flowers At Grave Of Fallen Soldier On Third Anniversary Of Afghanistan Exit

On the third anniversary of the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 American servicemembers, President Donald Trump took time out of the campaign to honor those who lost their lives. Trump, who was joined by family members of the fallen as well as service members who were wounded by the Abbey Gate bombing, placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and put flowers at the grave of one of the soldiers who died that day.

"[Donald Trump] speaks via phone to the family of SSG Ryan Knauss who couldn't make it today, as he lays flowers at their boys grave," Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita wrote on X alongside a video of the Republican candidate. Earlier in the morning, Trump placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and was joined by Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart, who was paralyzed during the Abbey Gate bombing.

President Trump has highlighted the sacrifice of the men and women in uniform during the botched Afghanistan withdrawal throughout his campaign to show the deadly consequences of the Biden-Harris administration. In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump explained that the withdrawal was the "most embarrassing moment" in American history. "This is the third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Gross Incompetence – 13 DEAD American soldiers, hundreds of people wounded and dead, AMERICANS, and BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT LEFT BEHIND. You don't take our soldiers out first, you take them out LAST, when all else is successfully done. Russia then invaded Ukraine, Israel was attacked, and the USA became, and is, a laughing stock all over the World."

While President Trump spent the morning honoring the fallen, President Biden and Vice President Harris refused to appear at Arlington, instead opting to issue a statement on the third anniversary of the exit from Afghanistan. "Today and every day, I mourn and honor them. My prayers are with their families and loved ones," Harris said. "My heart breaks for their pain and their loss.  These 13 devoted patriots represent the best of America, putting our beloved nation and their fellow Americans above themselves and deploying into danger to keep their fellow citizens safe."

The brave men and women who lost their lives on August 26, 2021, at Abbey Gate are as follows: Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts; Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California; Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California; Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska; Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California; Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio; and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee. 

WATCH:

Arlington Cemetery…. pic.twitter.com/YRlQl131Qr

— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) August 26, 2024

⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ speaks via phone to the family of SSG Ryan Knauss who couldn’t make it today, as he lays flowers at their boys grave … pic.twitter.com/QNUELSPJKA

— Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) August 26, 2024