The White House insisted Monday that President Biden is still running the country, even while on his second week of vacation.
During a teleconference, John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Adviser, marked the third anniversary of the Aug. 26, 2021, Abbey Gate suicide bombing. The attack killed 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans outside Kabul Airport.
Biden, spending the week at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, stayed out of public view on this solemn anniversary. Last week, while vacationing in California, Israel launched a preemptive strike in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers and preventing a major attack on central Israel.
A journalist questioned Biden’s absence during a press call with Kirby.
"The President’s public absence raises concerns that he’s disengaged from his role," said James Rosen of Newsmax. "People are asking, who is running the country? Is he just a ceremonial figure now?"
"James, come on, you know better," Kirby responded. "Biden spoke to Prime Minister Modi today. Last week, he called leaders in Europe and President Zelenskyy. He was actively monitoring events over the weekend."
Kirby added, "Even on vacation, you can’t completely disconnect from this job. Biden is very much in command, ensuring our national security interests are protected at home and abroad."
Meanwhile, former President Trump took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery with families of the 13 fallen service members. Biden and Vice President Harris were absent but released statements listing the names of the 13 killed.
Some of the fallen’s relatives had criticized Biden at the Republican National Convention for not publicly naming their loved ones. The Trump campaign echoed this, attacking the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
The Trump campaign also highlighted that Biden and Harris, despite their statements, have never publicly spoken the names of the 13 Americans who died. They emphasized the withdrawal left behind thousands of American citizens and billions in U.S. equipment for the Taliban.
In their statements, Biden and Harris noted that "America's longest war" was over, remembering the 2,461 U.S. service members killed and the 20,744 wounded in the two-decade conflict.