EXCLUSIVE — Some veterans are blasting President Joe Biden‘s decision to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Alaska instead of New York City as the latest “snub to the American people.”
President Biden plans on visiting Alaska for a “memorial ceremony,” while first lady Jill Biden will remain in Washington, D.C. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will visit New York City to participate in a commemoration ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
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Biden is being hit with backlash by veterans and Republicans who say the president’s visit to Alaska is disrespectful to the military and its heroes.
Mark Geist, a Marine Corps veteran, said most people know where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, recalling that he was sitting on the couch watching the morning news when the terrorist attacks occurred.
“For the next nine years, I was overseas and can remember exactly where I was. The day would start with a prayer for all of those we lost on that day and every day since,” Geist said. “I expect the same reverence and compassion from the politicians of this country, especially our ‘leader.’ And when I see the lack of, my heart hurts for I see what we are losing.”
Victor Marx, another Marine Corps veteran, said he thought Biden’s decision to forgo a trip to New York City is a “missed opportunity and sends the wrong message.
“By not visiting the sites, President Biden will miss an opportunity to demonstrate his dedication to upholding the values and principles that define our nation, and it may leave some questioning his understanding of the significance of this solemn day in American history,” Marx said.
Former President Barack Obama participated in a moment of silence on the White House lawn in 2015 and former President George W. Bush marked the 9/11 anniversary on the White House lawn in 2005, according to the Associated Press.
Biden visited all three crash sites to commemorate 9/11’s 20th anniversary in 2021 and spoke at the Pentagon last year.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-TX) claimed in a statement to the Washington Examiner that Biden will be the first president, since the 9/11 attacks, “Who did not go to a site, or at least the White House, to acknowledge the horrible incident that happened on 9/11/01.
“I don’t think Joe Biden has the mental competency to do it himself, but it’s again, one more snub to the American people,” Mills said. “This comes right after being unable to meet on the anniversary of the Afghan withdrawal when his poor decisions led to the making of 13 new Gold Star families.”
Mills recently introduced a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for “high crimes and misdemeanors” related to the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
Republicans and former military members have long blamed Biden, who went against the guidance from his top military advisers to withdraw the entire U.S. military presence in Afghanistan in August 2021. Thirteen U.S. service members died after an ISIS-K suicide bomber carried out a terrorist attack near the Kabul airport where evacuations were taking place.
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Chad Robichaux, a Force Recon Marine veteran, said it is “getting tough to be surprised by this administration’s disrespect” of the country following news of Biden’s Alaska visit.
“Another slap in the face to Americans,” Robichaux said.
