Minnesota’s representatives and senators in Washington D.C. have expressed their sorrow, offered up prayers, and released statements in the wake of the suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday.
The Islamic State Khorasan, also known as ISIS-K, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport that killed at least 13 American service members. Nearly 200 people in total were either killed or injured in the blast.
Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar offered their thoughts and prayers to the families of all who died.
“My heart breaks at the news that American service members have been killed in the horrific attack in Kabul today,” Smith tweeted. “My thoughts are with their loved ones, and with all those who had loved ones killed and injured.”
“My prayers are with the families and loved ones of our military and others who lost their lives or were wounded during the terror attack in Kabul,” Klobuchar tweeted. “Our service members are the best of us, our country’s bravest.”
Others who offered thoughts, prayers, and condolences included Reps. Dean Phillips, Angie Craig, Michelle Fischbach, and Tom Emmer.
Rep. Ilhan Omar tweeted that the attack represents “yet another reminder of the terror the people of Afghanistan continue to face,” calling on the U.S. to do everything it can “to get people out who are most at risk.” In contrast, Rep. Jim Hagedorn emphasized the need to “get every American out and protect our men and women in uniform there as we evacuate.”
“President Biden must not take orders from terrorists,” he added.
Reps. Pete Stauber and Betty McCollum published lengthier statements via press release. Stauber placed the blame for the Afghanistan withdrawal chaos squarely on the shoulders of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
“It didn’t need to be this way,” he said. “Their botched withdrawal has led to the deadliest day in Afghanistan since President Obama was in office, and the largest death toll in one attack on servicemembers in more than a decade.”
McCollum’s statement, meanwhile, called on the Biden administration to continue to hold the Taliban responsible for the safety of evacuating Americans and to “deliver an unequivocal message that harm to any American citizen seeking evacuation will result in devastating military action.”
Evan Stambaugh
Evan Stambaugh is a freelance writer who had previously been a sports blogger. He has a BA in theology and an MA in philosophy.
