In a bombshell revelation from her new memoir 107 Days, Vice President Kamala Harris expresses shock and frustration over President Joe Biden’s failure to honor the 13 U.S. service members killed during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal during the June 27, 2024, presidential debate against Donald Trump. The moment, detailed in the book released on September 17, 2025, has reignited political firestorms over the chaotic Afghanistan exit and Biden’s leadership.
In the memoir, Harris describes watching the CNN debate from the White House, stunned as Biden claimed he was “the only president this century” with no troops dying overseas, overlooking the 13 service members—11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one Army soldier—killed in an ISIS-K bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021. “It was an easy question on the military, and he didn’t even mention those heroes,” Harris writes, calling it a missed chance to show empathy. The gaffe fueled perceptions of Biden’s decline, influencing Harris’s decision to run for president after Biden’s exit on July 21, 2024.
The Afghanistan withdrawal, a decision Harris defends as necessary but poorly executed, remains a lightning rod. The Biden administration followed a Trump-negotiated timeline, but the rapid Taliban takeover and the deadly attack sparked widespread criticism. Gold Star families have slammed both Biden and Harris, with some accusing the administration of neglect. Harris’s book admits regret for not pushing harder for better planning, though she stood by the call to end the 20-year war.
During the debate, Biden’s inaccurate claim handed Trump an opening to attack the administration’s military record. Harris, reflecting on the moment, felt it epitomized Biden’s shaky performance, which she ties to his team’s inadequate preparation. 107 Days also reveals tensions with Biden, including a September 2024 call where he vented personal grievances instead of offering campaign support, leaving Harris “hurt and disappointed.”
The memoir, a 107-day campaign diary, has stirred controversy. Biden allies criticize Harris for airing internal conflicts, while conservatives, including Fox News, highlight her role in the withdrawal, noting her 2021 claim of being “the last person in the room” for the decision. Progressives, however, see her candor as a bold move to distance herself from Biden’s missteps.
Republicans have seized on the book’s revelations, arguing the Afghanistan debacle emboldened adversaries like Russia. Harris, in her September 2024 debate with Trump, deflected blame to his Doha Agreement with the Taliban while defending Biden’s withdrawal. Yet, her memoir’s critique of Biden’s debate performance has intensified scrutiny on her leadership ahead of future political battles.
The fallout continues to shape public opinion. Gold Star families remain vocal, with one parent stating at a 2024 event, “We got no answers, no support.” Harris’s book aims to address these criticisms, expressing empathy but stopping short of an apology, citing the complexity of the decision.
107 Days, published by Simon & Schuster, offers a raw look at Harris’s campaign and her evolving relationship with Biden. It has sparked heated debate, with some praising her honesty and others accusing her of disloyalty. The Afghanistan issue, coupled with Biden’s debate stumble, remains a potent weapon for critics as the 2024 election’s echoes linger.
As Harris eyes her political future, her memoir’s revelations could shape her image as a decisive yet reflective leader navigating a turbulent administration. The nation watches closely as this chapter of history continues to unfold.