Families Of Injured Troops Take Issue With False Claim By Harris

Families of wounded American veterans have strongly criticized Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris for her statement that there are no U.S. troops in active combat zones.

Retired Army colonel and military analyst Jonathan Sweet told The New York Post that around 50,000 U.S. service members are stationed globally, including in combat zones in Africa and the Middle East, where they receive “hostile fire” or “imminent danger pay.”

In a debate against former President Donald Trump, Harris claimed, “As of today, there is not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone, in any war zone around the world, for the first time this century.” However, families of American troops quickly refuted her claim, calling it misleading.

Brad Illerbrunner, whose son, Chief Warrant Officer Garrett Illerbrunner of the 82nd Airborne Division, was critically injured by a drone strike in Iraq, expressed disappointment with Harris’s remarks. He said that her comment was a “below the belt” denial of the sacrifices troops are still making. “We’re still in war zones,” he stated, accusing her of misleading the public.

Similarly, Holly Davis, whose husband is serving in Syria, shared her frustration, pointing out the real danger her husband and other soldiers face daily. “It’s very hurtful,” she said, emphasizing that her husband is literally risking his life every day.

Incidents such as a drone strike in Jordan that killed three Army Reserve soldiers and wounded 34 others, as well as a raid in Iraq where seven American soldiers were injured, illustrate the risks troops still encounter. Analysts, including Michael DiMino of Defense Priorities, also challenged Harris’s statement, saying, “If you’re in Jordan fighting ISIS and getting attacked by Iranian drones, you’re in a war zone.”

While a spokesperson for Harris’s campaign maintained that the U.S. is not involved in any wars, they did acknowledge that American troops are “taking risks for our country” and should be honored for their service.

The Department of Defense also echoed Harris’s stance, clarifying that while some service members may be stationed in hostile areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are engaged in a formal war.