In the aftermath of the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Gold Star families continue to seek answers and justice for the lives lost. One such Gold Star father, Mark Schmitz, recently delivered a scathing testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, taking direct aim at military leadership, Joe Biden, and former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. Schmitz’s unwavering criticism has struck a chord with many who believe that accountability and transparency are sorely lacking in the current administration.

Wow. Mark Schmitz, whose son was killed in Kabul during the Biden Afghanistan withdrawal, goes scorched earth.

Says the admin has the families "knee-deep in bullshit," Biden is a "disgrace" to the United States, and Blinken/Austin need to "pack up their shit" and resign. pic.twitter.com/q1dWugT9an

— Dylan Housman (@Dylan_Housman) August 29, 2023

On August 26, 2021, Lance CPL Jared Schmitz lost his life in a suicide bomb attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport’s Abbey Gate in Kabul. This horrific event was part of the fallout from the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left 13 American service members dead and numerous others injured. Two years later, Gold Star families like Mark Schmitz are still grappling with the aftermath, searching for answers and demanding accountability.

In his testimony, Mark Schmitz did not hold back in criticizing military leadership for their roles in the troop drawdown and subsequent withdrawal from Afghanistan. He expressed his frustration at the fact that those in key positions have either retained their roles or even been promoted. Schmitz specifically called out former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby for seemingly being disconnected from the reality on the ground.

“Everyone who held a key position in the military still has that position or has been promoted. John Kirby still sits on his perch, which apparently faces in the opposite direction from where all the action was,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz’s words reflect the sentiment shared by many who believe that there has been a lack of accountability for those responsible for the decisions that led to the loss of American lives.

Joe Biden also faced the brunt of Mark Schmitz’s criticism. Schmitz highlighted the fact that Biden had never once mentioned the fallen service members by name, despite his campaign branding him as a “family man.” This glaring omission has left Gold Star families feeling disregarded and disrespected by the very person who holds ultimate command over the military.

“Mr. Biden has run his entire political campaign for 50 years as ‘the family man.’ Well, I’ve got news for you, Sir. The curtain has been lifting, and that campaign slogan will never work again,” Schmitz proclaimed. “We have seen what’s going on in your family. And even worse, we’ve seen the way you’ve been treating us as Gold Star families. And there couldn’t be anything more disgusting and cowardly than the way you have treated us. You are a disgrace to this nation. You have no business having ultimate command over our military.”

Schmitz’s powerful words encapsulate the deep disappointment and anger felt by Gold Star families who have been let down by the very person they expected to honor their loved ones’ sacrifice.

One of the most distressing aspects for Gold Star families is the lack of accountability for those responsible for the failures in Afghanistan. Schmitz pointed out that not a single general had been held accountable for ignoring reliable intelligence and failing to prevent the tragic loss of lives. This lack of repercussions only adds to the frustration and pain experienced by the families who have been left to pick up the pieces.

During the return of the fallen service members’ remains at Dover, Mark Schmitz had an encounter with Biden that left him seething. As he stood on the tarmac, Schmitz observed Biden repeatedly checking his watch, seemingly impatient to conclude the somber event. While Schmitz refrained from confronting Biden at that moment out of respect for the other grieving families, he now feels compelled to speak up.

“While I stood there on the tarmac, watching you check your watch over and over again, all I wanted to do was shout out, ‘It’s 2-f**ing-thirty, ahole.’ But out of respect to the other grieving families, I bit my tongue once again,” Schmitz revealed.

It is clear that Schmitz’s encounter with Biden left a lasting impression, fueling his determination to hold the President accountable for his actions and lack of empathy.

In a scathing rebuke, Mark Schmitz emphasized that Biden’s decisions and actions have given Gold Star families a painful and unwanted title. Rather than being treated with honor and respect, these families feel discredited and disregarded by the very person who should be their advocate.

“You, Sir, gave us all the title ‘Gold Star Family.’ You, Sir, discredit honor and integrity,” Schmitz declared.

Mark Schmitz is not alone in his criticism of Biden’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and his treatment of Gold Star families. Other family members have also come forward, expressing their disappointment and anger at a President they describe as heartless. These families recount meetings with Biden that were focused on his own personal experiences and the loss of his son, Beau Biden, rather than the fallen service members they were there to honor.

The collective voices of these Gold Star families highlight a pattern of behavior that further exacerbates their pain and feelings of being disregarded.

Gold Star families like Mark Schmitz continue to demand accountability from the Biden administration and military leadership. They refuse to remain silent while their loved ones’ sacrifices are overshadowed by political maneuvering and leadership failures. These families deserve answers, transparency, and justice for the lives lost in Afghanistan.