SC lawmakers react to Kabul terrorist attack that killed 13 U.S. service members
Several South Carolina political leaders took to social media Thursday following the terrorist attack in Kabul, Afghanistan that left at least 60 people dead, including at least 13 United States military members.
It was the first time a U.S. service member died in Afghanistan in more than a year and first time multiple members were killed in a single attack in several years.
Tensions in the region have grown rapidly since President Joe Biden announced his administration would continue the prior administration’s efforts to end the country’s role in the war and withdraw troops from the middle eastern country.
Prior to Thursday’s attack, the U.S. had received threats about a potential attack as officials continue to evacuate Americans and Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
As of Thursday, the defense department said about 1,000 more Americans still needed to be evacuated from Kabul and hope to be done by Tuesday.
News of the attack began circulating Thursday, after Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby took to Twitter Thursday morning.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” he wrote.
Arguably the most vocal S.C. lawmaker has been Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who recently called for the impeachment of Biden for his handling of the withdrawal, saying it was the “most dishonorable thing” a president has done in modern time during an interview with right-wing TV network Newsmax.
Graham, who criticized the Biden administration for putting American lives in danger, on Thursday suggested reestablishing the military’s presence in Bagram as an alternative to the Kabul airport.
“The retaking of Bagram would put our military at risk, but I think those involved in the operation would gladly accept that risk because it would restore our honor as a nation and save lives,” he wrote on Twitter.
The highest ranking S.C. Democrat, Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, put out the following statement on Twitter late Thursday evening:
“My prayers are with the families of the U.S. service members who lost their lives in today’s attack as well as the troops who remain in Kabul carrying out this critical mission. We must honor their sacrifice by pursuing a wise course for our country at this dangerous juncture.”
Sen. Tim Scott retweeted Kirby’s announcement, adding “Praying for our troops, Americans in the region and our Afghan allies.”
“My heart breaks for the families of the fallen,” wrote S.C. state Rep. JA Moore, D-Berkeley. “This entire situation is egregious. #SupportOurTroops”
“My heart breaks for the families of the fallen Marines at the Kabul Airport. Please keep them in your prayers,” wrote U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman.
U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, issued a statement Thursday afternoon in response to the attacks.
“My military family’s sympathies go out to the families of those murdered today in Kabul,” he said. “As I said in the Congressional Record on Monday, President Joe Biden is endangering American families. The war is not over, and his policies will directly affect families of America and Isreal.”
He also wrote on Twitter that he was deeply saddened by the news of the explosions and that whoever was responsible should be held responsible.
Congressman Tom Rice also took to Twitter prior for turning his focus to Biden.
“The news out of Kabul is devastating,” Rice wrote. “Please pray for the injured, our troops, and those in harm’s way.”
In a statement posted to his website, Rice called for Biden to resign.
“All options are on the table to hold President Biden accountable for this tragic chain of avoidable events,” the statement read. “President Biden, you yourself said ‘The Buck stops here.’ Do the American people a favor. Resign and turn the job over to someone who can handle it.”
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan also called for the impeachment of Biden after twice defending Trump during his trials, calling them a “brazenly partisan” attempt to remove a president since the day he was sworn in.
Last week, he said the U.S. should “retaliate violently” against Islamists if any Christians were executed.
Congresswoman Nancy Mace said she would pray for the soldiers who lost their lives and called for flags to be lowered to half-staffed.
“@POTUS, I implore you to order the United States flag be lowered to half-staff to honor the Americans who died in today’s Kabul terrorist attacks,” Mace tweeted.
“If we don’t learn from our failures, we will repeat history. Both sides are at fault and both sides have a responsibility to bring our citizens and our soldiers home,” she added on Friday.
This story was originally published August 26, 2021 at 4:43 PM.