“13 Brave American HEROES” – Trump Honors 13 Service Members Killed In Abbey Gate Attack
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President Donald Trump marked the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack in Kabul by honoring the 13 U.S. service members killed in the 2021 bombing while sharply criticizing the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a post Wednesday, Trump also highlighted his administration’s efforts to bring those responsible for the attack to justice and pledged continued support for the victims’ families.
Trump met with the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families during the 2024 campaign.
Today, we honor the 13 brave American HEROES who were tragically killed five years ago by evil Jihadi terrorists in Kabul, Afghanistan. This catastrophe was a result of Sleepy Joe Biden’s totally botched Withdrawal from the Country, which left our wonderful Servicemen and women defenseless, and allowed the Taliban to free thousands of bloodthirsty terrorists and criminals held at Bagram Prison. This was one of the greatest atrocities in the History of our Nation, and we can never forget that it was the result of the sheer incompetence of Joe Biden and the Democrats who were in charge.
During my 2024 Campaign, I met with the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families, wonderful people and Great Patriots, who were totally ignored and disrespected by the Democrat Party. I promised them we would deliver Justice when I returned to the White House — and we have! We quickly apprehended the evil mastermind responsible for the deaths of our Service members, and it has been one of my Greatest Honors as Commander in Chief. May God Bless America, and may God Bless the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families. You will NEVER be forgotten! President DONALD J. TRUMP
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against Mohammad Sharifullah, an ISIS-K member accused of providing material support to the terrorist organization in connection with the 2021 Abbey Gate attack that killed 13 U.S. service members. Sharifullah was arrested on March 2, 2025, and was expected to appear in federal court in Virginia days later.
On March 2, 2025, the United States charged Mohammad Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” a member of the terrorist organization the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), with providing and conspiring to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization resulting in death, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. Sharifullah has been arrested and is expected to appear in the Eastern District of Virginia on March 5, 2025.
“This evil ISIS-K terrorist orchestrated the brutal murder of 13 heroic service members,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “Under President Trump’s strong leadership on the world stage, this Department of Justice will ensure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah have no safe haven, no second chances, and no worse enemy than the United States of America.”
“The lethal attack that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians during the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “ISIS-K brazenly claimed responsibility for the carnage. Now thanks to the assistance of the FBI, Department of Justice, and the CIA, we have secured Sharifullah’s apprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice. The FBI will never forget the loss of these American heroes, we will continue to hunt down those who viciously murdered our warriors, we will find all responsible and bring them to justice.”
“The charges announced today carry an unmistakable message: the commitment of the United States to hold accountable all who facilitate and carry out acts of terror against us will never waver,” said U.S. Attorney Erik S Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Our message to those who have been impacted by these horrific crimes is that you are not forgotten. We will continue to pursue justice no matter how long or how far it takes us.”
The 13 U.S. service members killed in the August 26, 2021, Abbey Gate attack were:
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23
Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25
Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23
Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20
Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20
Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23
The 13 servicemembers slain on August 26, 2021, are Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah; Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23; Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25; Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23; Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20; Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20; Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20; Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22; and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23.
