Father of Fallen Marine Criticizes Democrats’ Tepid Response to Terrorist Arrest

Father of Marine Killed at Abbey Gate Rallies for Recognition

The father of Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, who tragically lost his life alongside 12 fellow service members during the ISIS-K attack at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, has expressed his concern regarding the Democrats’ reaction to the recent arrest of a key figure in the attack. Mark Schmitz described the lack of an enthusiastic response from Democratic lawmakers as “disturbing.”

During a speech delivered to Congress, President Donald Trump announced the arrest of Mohmmad Sharifullah on March 2. The Justice Department identifies Sharifullah as a conspirator in planning the devastating ISIS-K suicide bombing that occurred as Afghan civilians attempted to flee the Taliban regime.

“This should not be a partisan issue whatsoever – the death of our kids,” Schmitz emphasized in an interview with Fox News Digital, highlighting the need for unity in such a critical matter.

Political Divisions Emerge Over Arrest of Key ISIS-K Figure

The attack claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians, marking a dark chapter in American military history. However, the announcement of Sharifullah’s arrest did not receive unanimous approval. Schmitz noted that only about a third of Democrats offered applause for the news, and no Democrats stood in solidarity with their Republican counterparts during the applause.

“You would think that every single person in that place would be standing up and applauding and cheering,” Schmitz remarked. The contrary response felt particularly painful for him as a Gold Star family member.

Family of Fallen Service Members Seek Acknowledgment

Numerous families who lost loved ones during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan expressed dismay over President Joe Biden’s failure to honor their children during his addresses to Congress. Notably, Biden did not mention the service members killed in action, which left many families feeling neglected and unheard.

“There was no communication from the onset,” Schmitz recounted, reflecting on a tense meeting with Biden at Dover Air Force Base as they awaited the return of their children’s remains. The Gold Star families received minimal interaction, leaving them frustrated.

Biden Faces Scrutiny for His Response

President Biden faced criticism after repeatedly checking his watch during the memorial service for the fallen Marines. This behavior raised eyebrows and fueled frustrations among the grieving families, particularly concerning the lack of transparency that contributed to the withdrawal debacle, ultimately costing lives.

“Any time you can start to get a little bit of closure is always a good thing,” Schmitz said, referring to the arrest of Sharifullah. “And to find out that they got this guy is amazing. There are many more that need to be looked at – certainly, he’s not the only one.”

Hope Amidst Grief

Despite the ongoing pain, Schmitz remains hopeful for justice. “This is one down and many more to go, but I am very confident that we will start seeing some answers,” he stated. His commitment to honoring his son and the other service members killed in the attack manifests in his efforts to create a nonprofit organization.

The Freedom 13 Initiative

Schmitz aims to establish a network of