America UnCanceled: Mercedes Schlapp & Christy Shamblin

The media erupted into outrage after President Donald Trump accepted an invitation from Gold Star families to the Abbey Gate ceremony at Arlington cemetery. Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of Abbey Gate victim Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, explains the Gold Star families’ relationship with President Trump.  

In the wake of the Abbey Gate bombing three years ago that killed thirteen American soldiers after the Biden administration’s decision to pull out of Afghanistan, the thirteen Gold Star families were left searching for answers but received radio silence from the Biden administration. In contrast, President Trump reached out to the families, and offered support, condolences, and answers.  

Shamblin described President Trump’s reception of the families, “I was shocked. I didn’t anticipate meeting somebody that had the empathy and relatability. I really expected to meet an arrogant, you know, what you see portrayed in the media...He genuinely cares and wants a better America, and I was shocked.” 

Kamala Harris is attacking Trump for helping these families, depicting it as politically motivated theatrics, but the Gold Star families have received more support and answers from Trump than they ever received from Harris and Biden. They place the blame squarely on Harris for the Abbey Gate tragedy but have yet to hear from her, and they fear for the future should she win the election in November.

“I fear that we will lose more troops,” said Shamblin. “I fear that other countries will see our vulnerabilities continuing, and they will attack. We will have World War III. I truly fear that.” 

Watch the full, moving conversation with Shamblin on CPAC+.