Trump Marks Four Years Since Abbey Gate Bombing

Trump Commemorates Anniversary of Kabul Bombing

On August 26, 2025, President Donald Trump officially recognized the fourth anniversary of the bombing at the monastery gates that occurred during President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Many Goldstar families, who lost 13 US military personnel in the incident, stood beside Trump as he signed the declaration at his desk. Vice President J.D. V. V. V. V. V. V. and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses were also in attendance.

“This is a very special group of people. I was with them from the start, Abby Gate,” Trump remarked during the signing ceremony.

He criticized the Biden administration’s decision to leave from Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport instead of Bagram Air Base, suggesting the latter would have been a safer choice. “At least they should have been in Bagram, a big field that we have hundreds of acres around it. No one is going to get close to it. They left the small airfield and the outcome was horrifying,” he added. Trump shared that he had a personal connection with the soldiers, remarking that he regularly meets with their families.

During an evening at Trump Bedminster Golf Club, where he listened to music, he also turned his attention to those who survived the bombing but were injured. “We have over 32 years old, but there are about 32 people who have lost their arms and legs,” he noted.

The bombing led to the deaths of 13 US soldiers, including 11 Marines, one sailor, and a soldier. Those remembered included:

Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Darrin T. Hoover, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah.

Marine Sgt. Johannee Rosario Pichardo, 25, from Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, from Sacramento, California.

Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, from Indio, California.

Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, from Omaha, Nebraska.

Marine Corps Cpl. Humbel A. Sanchez, 22, from Logansport, Indiana.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, from Rio Bravo, Texas.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, from St. Charles, Missouri.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, from Jackson, Wyoming.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Melora, 20, from Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, from Norco, California.

Maxton W. Sobiak, 22, from Naval Hospital; Berlin Heights, Ohio.

Army Staff Sergeant Ryan C. North, 23, from Coliton, Tennessee.

Trump concluded by honoring the memory of the fallen, saying, “We remember these great 13 souls, but those who are very badly injured, our soldiers, 32, roughly, we are in constant contact with them.”