Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin offered condolences to family members and friends of those killed. "Terrorists took their lives at the very moment these troops were trying to save the lives of others," he said in a written statement. "We mourn their loss. We will treat their wounds. And we will support their families in what will most assuredly be devastating grief.
"But we will not be dissuaded from the task at hand," he said. "To do anything less – especially now – would dishonor the purpose and sacrifice these men and women have rendered."
The attacks occurred six days after President Joe Biden issued a statement declaring that the U.S. government is "in constant contact with the Taliban, working to ensure civilians have safe passage to the airport. ... We’ve made clear to the Taliban that any attack – any attack on our forces or disruption of our operations at the airport will be met with a swift and forceful response."
Chenelly criticized the reliance on a 20-year enemy for security. “It's clear that we should not be depending on the Taliban to keep us American Marines, any Americans or any allies safe. And that clearly was happening today, and has been for a while.”
Biden said Thursday that when it comes to the Taliban, "it's not a matter of trust, it's a matter of mutual self-interest." The president said there was no evidence of "collusion between the Taliban and ISIS in carrying out what happened today."
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