Over two weeks since the three networks refused to cover the congressional testimony from numerous Gold Star families who lost their kids in the Abbey Gate suicide bombing during the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan two years ago, and one week since NewsBusters’ parent company, the Media Research Center demanded an answer for why they refused to cover their emotional pleas for accountability, one of the networks (NBC) decided to report on another hearing held Tuesday.
ABC’s World News Tonight and CBS Evening News each continued to leave their viewers in the dark in favor of reports on Amazon raising its purchase minimum to qualify for free shipping (ABC), and a water main break in Times Square (CBS).
NBC Nightly News, in contrast, ran a full segment on the hearing, with anchor Lester Holt noting at the top that “this week marks two years since the deadly attack during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. And today Gold Star families who lost loved ones say they are still demanding answers.”
Correspondent Ryan Nobles interviewed a couple of the Gold Star families after the hearing. “Two years ago, Herman and Alicia Lopez lost their son Hunter,” Nobles reported. “It's something that no one thinks will ever happen to their family,” Mr. Lopez lamented.
Hunter “was one of 13 U.S. service members killed during the ISIS bombing near the Abbey Gate at Kabul's airport in Afghanistan,” Nobles announced. “He planned to join his hometown sheriff's office.”
“He didn't get that chance. And we just would like people to give us the truth of what happened and be honest with us,” Mrs Lopez added.
During her testimony, Gold Star mother Kelly Barnett told lawmakers: “I don't want to hear lies. I don't want to hear excuses from Joe Biden.”
“Several Presidents preceded Mr. Biden in this 20-year war, but none of them are to be held accountable for the withdrawal. That is he and he alone,” the mother of former staff sergeant Ryan Christian Knauss who died during the botched Afghanistan withdrawal said to Congress.
Nobles ended by reporting “Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley saying that the briefers have given the families, quote, 'every piece of information that they could,' but saying that they do owe them accountability.”
This ongoing disgraceful snub by ABC & CBS of Gold Star families who lost their sons and daughters in Biden’s dysfunctional withdrawal from Afghanistan was made possible by Allstate on ABC, and Red Lobster on CBS. Their information is linked.
The transcript is below:
NBC Nightly News
8/29/2023
6:42:11 p.m. EasternLESTER HOLT: This week marks two years since the deadly attack during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. And today Gold Star families who lost loved ones say they are still demanding answers. We get more from Ryan Nobles.
RYAN NOBLES: Two years ago, Herman and Alicia Lopez lost their son Hunter.
HERMAN LOPEZ: It's something that no one thinks will ever happen to their family.
NOBLES: He was one of 13 U.S. service members killed during the ISIS bombing near the Abbey Gate at Kabul's airport in Afghanistan. He planned to join his hometown sheriff's office.
ALICIA LOPEZ: He didn't get that chance. And we just would like people to give us the truth of what happened and be honest with us.
NOBLES: The Lopezs one of several Gold Star families today demanding accountability.
KELLY BARNETT: I don't want to hear lies. I don't want to hear excuses from Joe Biden.
NOBLES: Many blaming President Biden.
PAULA KNAUSS SELPH: Several Presidents preceded Mr. Biden in this 20-year war, but none of them are to be held accountable for the withdrawal. That is he and he alone.
NOBLES: The chaotic U.S. withdrawal began as the Taliban quickly took over the country. President Biden has argued leaving Afghanistan was the right choice.
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: I was not going to extend this forever war. And I was not extending a forever exit.
NOBLES: Tonight the Pentagon defending its response.
SABRINA SINGH (DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: U.S. Military commanders on the ground in Afghanistan made decisions that they could with the information that they had at the time.
NOBLES: And tonight the Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley saying that the briefers have given the families, quote, every piece of information that they could, but saying that they do owe them accountability.
