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Biden yet to respond to proposed meeting with Gold Star families, Issa says

Issa letter asks Biden to ‘finally take the time to listen and hear what they have to say’

By Jessica Chasmar

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said he’s still awaiting a response from the White House about a meeting he requested between President Biden and Afghanistan Gold Star families, who will be in Washington, D.C., this month.

Issa sent a letter one week ago to Biden, asking to coordinate a meeting with the families of the fallen U.S. service members from the Kabul airport terrorist attack on Aug. 26, 2021, which occurred during the president’s chaotic military withdrawal.

The families were in Washington last week when Issa, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, held a congressional forum, and the families reported feeling misled and betrayed by their own government.

“After spending many meaningful days with them, I write to facilitate an opportunity for you to speak with them in person so you can finally take the time to listen and hear what they have to say,” Issa wrote in an Aug. 10 letter to Biden, which was provided to Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “To date, that simply has yet to happen.”

“By any objective measure, these families have been ignored by your administration as it has sought to ‘turn the page’ on the events surrounding the withdrawal and evacuation,” Issa continued. “From questions surrounding personal effects of the fallen to details of the attack and the apparent lack of accountability, I have heard from the family members how they have felt ignored, lied to, and betrayed since their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“I believe you would greatly benefit from hearing the families’ experiences and their testimonials to their loved ones. With this in mind, I would be happy to coordinate a meeting between you and them,” Issa concluded his letter. “Please do not hesitate to have your staff contact me.”

Issa said he’s yet to hear a response from Biden.

“For two years, Joe Biden ignored and insulted these Gold Star parents as he turned the page on his disastrous decisions that cost our 13 service members their lives,” Issa said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “He has yet to in any way make this right with the families. Does he have the courage to face them? Not yet.”

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Source: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-yet-respond-proposed-meeting-gold-star-families-issa-says