Congress Honors 13 Fallen Service Members from Afghanistan Withdrawal with Gold Medal

Bipartisan ceremony unfolds amid heated political debate over the chaotic exit from Kabul

The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded posthumously to 13 U.S. service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Both Democrat and Republican leaders participated in the ceremony, which occurred amid ongoing political debates over the withdrawal.
Families of the fallen service members expressed both gratitude for the honor and frustration over the handling of the evacuation.
House Republicans released a report critical of the Biden administration's role in the withdrawal, while the White House defended its actions.
The Afghanistan withdrawal remains a contentious issue in the 2024 presidential campaign, with both parties seeking to leverage it politically.