Marine Lance Cpl's father. Jared Schmitz, who was killed along with 12 other American service members during an ISIS-K attack at Afghanistan's monastery gate on August 26, 2021, said the Democrats' response, or lack of it, was “intrusive” to the news that the mastermind behind the attack had been arrested.
President Donald Trump addressed Congress on Tuesday night, announcing the arrest of Mohmad Sharihula on March 2nd. The Justice Department said it supported ISIS-K's suicide bombing plan at Kabul airport when Afghans fled from the Taliban acquisition.
“This should not be a partisan issue – the death of our children,” Mark Schmitz told Fox News Digital.
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Goldstar's father, Mark Schmitz, is hoping to honor the memory of his son Jared through the foundations for housing veterans known as “Freedom 13” in honor of 13 KIA on August 26, 2021. (Mark Schmitz)
The attack killed 13 US service members and about 170 Afghan civilians.
However, news of the arrest did not gain overwhelming approval across the political aisle. As Schmitz pointed out, only about a third of Democrats praised the news, and no Republican colleagues appeared to join the standing ovation.
“You'd think each and every one of them in the place is standing up, applauding and cheering,” Schmitz said.
The fallen Marine father said the sight was “incredibly insulted as a Gold Star family.”
“This has nothing to do with politics,” Schmitz continued. “This is our army we're talking about and it needs to change.”
Several families of those killed in Afghanistan's chaotic withdrawal were troubled by President Joe Biden's failure to mention the children killed in duties, speaking from a chamber of the House in one of three speeches to Congress following the attack.
“There was no communication from onset,” Schmitz said, recalling the controversial moment in which Goldstar's family met Biden at Dover Air Force Base when the bodies of service members were returned from Afghanistan.
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President Donald Trump is working on a joint Congress meeting held at the US Capitol on March 4, 2025. Democrats sat all night as Republicans stood to praise the president. (Sha Hanting/China News Service/VCG Getty Images)
Biden was criticized for repeatedly checking his watches, and many families expressed dissatisfaction with the chaotic withdrawal and the lack of transparency that ultimately led to the death of their loved ones.
“Whenever you can start a little closure, it's always good,” Schmitz said in connection with the latest ISIS-K arrest. “And it's amazing to know they've got this guy. There's a lot to see. He's certainly not the only one.
“It's one and more, but I'm very sure I'll start looking at some answers,” he added.
Schmitz chose to honor his son, killing the other 12 Americans by starting a nonprofit organization that aimed to create a “free camp” for veterans that day, that day. “Freedom 13.”
The goal is to develop camps in all states starting with Jared, Missouri, where veterans can retreat, allowing them to heal from their time of service or simply be around other veterans.
The ceremony honors the 13 service members killed in the suicide bombing at Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai International Airport, which will be held on September 10, 2024 at the U.S. Capitol. (Anna Money Maker/Getty Images)
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Each camp consists of at least 100 acres and 13 homes, meaning 13 service members killed in the attack.
Schmitz says they will need more support to help them develop more camps for veterans, but he believes that under the Trump administration, at least “have an ally in our corner.”
