Washington Reporter

Washington Reporter

Share this post

Washington Reporter
Washington Reporter
Exclusive: Gold Star families back Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense: “He has been a tireless advocate for veterans of this country”
User's avatar
Discover more from Washington Reporter
The intersection of policy and politics, with valuable insights straight from Hill staff and D.C. insiders.
Already have an account? Sign in
Editorials

Exclusive: Gold Star families back Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense: “He has been a tireless advocate for veterans of this country”

The Abbey Gate Coalition is backing Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Here's why...

Matthew Foldi's avatar
Matthew Foldi
Jan 14, 2025
4

Share this post

Washington Reporter
Washington Reporter
Exclusive: Gold Star families back Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense: “He has been a tireless advocate for veterans of this country”
Share

A coalition of Gold Star families is backing Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, according to letter shared exclusively with the Washington Reporter.

The Abbey Gate Coalition, comprised of family members of the American service members who were killed during the Biden administration’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan, are writing to members of the Senate urging that Hegseth be confirmed.

“We are very happy with that nomination for some of the following reasons,” they wrote. “First and foremost is his service and dedication to this country both in and out of uniform. He was an Infantry Captain and Major in the Army National Guard with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan where he was awarded 2 Bronze Stars. And here at home, he has been a tireless advocate for veterans of this country, to which we also hold dear.”

The current leadership of the Department of Defense has left the families in the dark at repeated junctures, they wrote. “We have been stonewalled at every turn and only given ‘bread-crumbs’ to attempt to make us just go away! We feel that there has been a complete coverup at the Department of Defense with the current Secretary of Defense leading the way.”

For years, the Abbey Gate Coalition has navigated the halls of Congress in their quest for accountability about the series of policy failures that led to the deaths of their loved ones. One of its members, Steve Nikoui, was arrested during President Joe Biden’s final State of the Union when he shouted the name of his son, Kareem Nikoui, who was killed at Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021. Charges against Nikoui were dropped after members of Congress, led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.), demanded that he not be prosecuted.

“We ask that you please hear our words and feel the pain that we do, knowing that it was avoidable in respect to what happened to our children,” the Gold Star family members wrote. “We are asking for answers and accountability from other departments within the Federal Government and feel as though the process starts with confirming Pete Hegseth as the new Secretary of Defense. Promises made, promises kept.”

Abbey Gate Coalition Letter
7.73MB ∙ PDF file
Download
Download


Subscribe to Washington Reporter

The intersection of policy and politics, with valuable insights straight from Hill staff and D.C. insiders.
Lynne Greenwell's avatar
Timothy Christopher Rollins's avatar
4 Likes
4

Share this post

Washington Reporter
Washington Reporter
Exclusive: Gold Star families back Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense: “He has been a tireless advocate for veterans of this country”
Share
Why the Biden Pill Penalty has been a disaster for Americans
A misguided policy enacted by former President Joe Biden has led to a 70 percent decline in investment in small-molecule drugs in the United States…
Mar 20 • 
The Washington Reporter
3

Share this post

Washington Reporter
Washington Reporter
Why the Biden Pill Penalty has been a disaster for Americans
EXCLUSIVE: Multiple career intelligence staff confirm Biden admin DNI Avril Haines used Signal "all the time and on her personal phone"
Biden administration Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines used Signal “all the time and on her personal phone,” according to multiple…
Apr 3 • 
Matthew Foldi
12

Share this post

Washington Reporter
Washington Reporter
EXCLUSIVE: Multiple career intelligence staff confirm Biden admin DNI Avril Haines used Signal "all the time and on her personal phone"
K-STREET, 10,000 FEET: Sen. Tillis and others warn: Durbin’s Credit Card Competition Act sinks GENIUS
The GENIUS Act is a bipartisan legislative effort aimed at establishing a comprehensive framework for stablecoin regulation, but congressional sources…
May 20 • 
The Washington Reporter
2

Share this post

Washington Reporter
Washington Reporter
K-STREET, 10,000 FEET: Sen. Tillis and others warn: Durbin’s Credit Card Competition Act sinks GENIUS

Ready for more?

© 2025 Washington Reporter
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share