Biden Faces Backlash Over Calls for Resignation and Troop Withdrawal After U.S. Military Remains Incident at Airport

Attendance at Delaware Air Force Base Remains Transfer Ceremony
Republican Lawmakers Expand Political Offensive
Resignation and Regular Duty Demands by Cabinet Members
Negative Public Evaluation of US Afghan Response Increases After Military Deaths

U.S. President Joe Biden watches the transport of the remains of U.S. soldiers who died in a bomb attack in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, at the Delaware Air National Guard Base.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Joe Biden personally went to the airport to receive the remains of U.S. soldiers who died in the bomb attack at Kabul Airport, the capital of Afghanistan. While opposition parties are calling for President Biden's resignation, contrary to Biden's firm stance against extending the withdrawal deadline, Americans showed support for delaying the withdrawal following the terrorist attack and the sacrifice of U.S. troops.

On the morning of the 29th (local time), President Biden watched the transport of 13 sets of U.S. military remains arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. First Lady Jill Biden was also present. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken accompanied President Biden.

President Biden appeared solemn throughout, bowing his head or closing his eyes as the remains of the fallen soldiers were transported. The Biden couple comforted the bereaved families before the remains arrived.

This was the first time President Biden visited the site where the remains of fallen soldiers were transported. The event, which lasted about an hour, was broadcast live by U.S. media.

On this day, amid the arrival of U.S. military remains, an airstrike on an IS-K vehicle carrying a U.S. suicide bomber, and rocket attacks near Kabul Airport, criticism poured in from the U.S. political sphere regarding the Afghanistan situation.

Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Minority Leader, emphasized that "the U.S. troops in Afghanistan were preventing terrorism," stating that the reason for U.S. military presence in Afghanistan disappeared with this withdrawal.

Within the Republican Party, voices demanding President Biden's resignation and impeachment have also emerged. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, called for Biden's resignation, while Madison Cawthorn demanded that the cabinet suspend Biden's duties based on the 25th Amendment.

Republican Senator Mitt Romney criticized both President Biden and former President Trump for the current situation in Afghanistan in an interview with CNN. Romney stated, "The situation we are in now is the result of wrong decisions made by two administrations." Although a Republican, Romney is known as an anti-Trump figure.

The political media outlet The Hill analyzed that the Republicans have gained a major opportunity to launch an offensive against President Biden ahead of next year's midterm elections.

Public opinion in the U.S. is also worsening. According to an ABC/Ipsos poll released that day, 7 out of 10 Americans said the withdrawal should be delayed until all Afghans who supported U.S. troops have been evacuated.

Those who responded that troops should remain until all Americans are evacuated reached 84%. The percentage opposing President Biden's Afghanistan policy was 60%.

This survey was conducted immediately after the suicide bomb attack that killed 13 U.S. soldiers and more than 150 Afghans.

Despite the worsening public opinion, the Biden administration emphasized its determination to withdraw U.S. troops as scheduled. On the same day, Secretary of State Blinken drew a line on questions about extending the withdrawal deadline in an interview with NBC News, saying, "That is unlikely to happen."

According to the White House, as of that morning, about 2,900 people had been evacuated overseas within 24 hours. Since Kabul fell to the Taliban on the 14th, approximately 5,500 Americans and about 114,400 people including them have left Afghanistan.

The U.S. State Department disclosed that about 250 Americans remain who want to leave Afghanistan.

The U.S. government plans to continue attacks against the Islamic State (IS), which carried out the Kabul bombing, even after the withdrawal.

Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor, said in an interview with Fox News, "President Biden will not stop until IS pays the price," signaling additional attacks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.