CNN’s Jim Acosta hit a controversial note during an interview on Monday when he criticized former President Donald Trump for honoring the 13 service members who lost their lives during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden administration. Acosta’s remarks came as Trump placed a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery on the third anniversary of the Kabul airport bombing, which tragically claimed the lives of American soldiers and more than 100 Afghans.

During the interview with Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Acosta raised a contentious point, suggesting that Trump was politicizing the soldiers’ deaths by participating in the memorial at Arlington. Acosta referred to past, widely disputed claims that Trump had referred to deceased veterans as “suckers” and “losers,” questioning whether Trump should even be present at such a solemn event if he intended to turn it into a political spectacle.

“You’re a former army ranger. Is he politicizing these soldiers’ deaths? Should he even be at Arlington National Cemetery if he’s going to make some politics out of this?” Acosta asked Crow, who responded by defending President Biden’s decision to end the war in Afghanistan, despite the tragic outcome.

While Crow acknowledged the tragedy of the 13 service members’ deaths, he praised Biden for making what he described as the “tough decision” to end America’s longest war. Crow emphasized that the war was unwinnable through military means and noted that, as a result of Biden’s decision, the U.S. is no longer at war in Afghanistan. However, his comments did little to address the criticisms surrounding the execution of the withdrawal, which many see as a significant failure of the Biden administration.

CNN’s Jim Acosta suggests Trump is “politicizing” the deaths of the thirteen service members by visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Biden is currently on vacation. pic.twitter.com/DV2QNg4ubv

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) August 26, 2024

Trump, during his visit to Arlington, refrained from making any overtly political statements while honoring the fallen soldiers, walking alongside the victims’ families in a somber tribute. However, later in the day, Trump took to Truth Social to express his ongoing frustration with the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, calling it “the most EMBARASSING moment in the history of our Country.”

Trump’s post was a scathing critique of the administration, highlighting the loss of American lives, the abandonment of billions of dollars in military equipment, and the rapid resurgence of the Taliban. He also drew a line connecting the withdrawal to subsequent global events, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s security challenges, suggesting that the perceived weakness of the U.S. under Biden’s leadership had far-reaching consequences.

Acosta’s approach in the interview was seen by many as an attempt to shift focus away from the Biden administration’s widely criticized withdrawal and onto Trump, a tactic that drew backlash. Critics argue that Acosta, in accusing Trump of politicizing the deaths, was in fact the one using the tragedy for political purposes. They pointed out that Trump’s visit to Arlington was a respectful commemoration, while Acosta’s questions seemed more aimed at deflecting blame from the current administration.

The Afghanistan withdrawal remains a sore point for the Biden administration, as reports and testimonies have painted a picture of poor planning, lack of coordination, and disastrous execution. The decision to rely on the Taliban for security at Hamid Karzai International Airport, coupled with the abrupt abandonment of key military assets like Bagram Air Base, left U.S. forces vulnerable and contributed to the chaos that ensued. The heartbreaking scenes of desperate Afghans clinging to departing planes became symbolic of the disorder and despair that marked the final days of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan.

Adding to the controversy, Cheryl Rex, the mother of one of the fallen Marines, shared a deeply unsettling account of her interaction with President Biden, where he reportedly compared the loss of her son to the death of his own son, Beau Biden, who died of cancer. Rex’s recollection highlighted a perceived insensitivity, further fueling the criticism of Biden’s handling of the aftermath.

In conclusion, while Acosta attempted to frame Trump’s actions as political opportunism, many see his comments as a misguided attempt to shield the Biden administration from accountability for the Afghanistan withdrawal. The deaths of the 13 service members are a stark reminder of the tragic consequences of the withdrawal, and for many, it’s clear that the responsibility lies squarely with the current administration.