On Tuesday, U.S. congressional leaders, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to 13 service members who died in the Kabul airport bombing during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The ceremony, which took place amid political tensions ahead of the upcoming elections, served as a platform for both parties to exchange accusations regarding the withdrawal's failures. While Republicans criticized President Biden's administration for the execution of the withdrawal, Democrats pointed to a deal made by former President Trump with the Taliban as a contributing factor. A report released by House Republicans placed blame primarily on Biden, while White House spokesperson John Kirby dismissed the report as partisan. The event was juxtaposed with a debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, further intensifying the political backdrop. As the country reflects on the sacrifices made by the fallen service members, the need for accountability in the withdrawal process remains a contentious issue.