At the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, Nevada Senate candidate Sam Brown delivered a powerful speech, sharing his personal story of war and warning voters that a second term for President Joe Biden would result in more American service members being killed and wounded like he was in Afghanistan.
Brown, who received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, is running against incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) in the November election. He introduced himself and emphasized the urgency to prevent Biden from remaining in power for another four years, citing the president’s policies that led to the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
Brown recounted his harrowing experience in Afghanistan, where his Humvee hit a roadside bomb, leaving him with severe burns and near death. He highlighted the visible burn marks on his face and warned that Biden’s poor foreign policy would have devastating consequences for American troops.
“Look at my face,” Brown urged the audience. “This is the high cost of war. If Joe Biden stays in office, more service members will pay this price.”
Brown criticized Biden’s handling of the Afghan War, arguing that his decision to break the withdrawal deal and extend the 20-year conflict had disastrous consequences. He pointed out that the Taliban responded to Biden’s announcement by launching a campaign to restore its position as the governing body of Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s swift takeover of the country led to a wave of violence and chaos, resulting in a massive jihadist bombing that killed dozens, including 13 American service members. Brown stressed that the Taliban currently governs all of Afghanistan, with no significant challenge to its power.
In a striking revelation, the government watchdog Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reported in May that the Biden administration had paid the Taliban almost $11 million since the fall of Kabul in taxes and other fees. Brown emphasized the need for a change in leadership to ensure that American service members are protected and that the country’s foreign policy is more effective.
