Trump in Afghanistan for surprise Thanksgiving visit
2019-11-29
US President Donald Trump eats dinner with US troops at a Thanksgiving dinner event during a surprise visit at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, Nov 28, 2019. [Photo/Agencies]
BAGRAM AIR FIELD — President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to spend time with US troops on Thanksgiving.
Trump arrived at Bagram Air Field shortly after 8:30 p.m. local time and spent more than two-and-a-half hours on the ground. Reporters were under strict instructions to keep the trip a secret to ensure his safety.
The visit comes more than two months after Trump abruptly broke off peace talks with the Taliban after a bombing in Kabul killed 12 people, including an American soldier.
And it comes at a pivotal moment in Trump’s presidency, with the impeachment inquiry moving quickly.
The president and first lady made a similar trip last year to Iraq on Christmas night — their first to an active conflict zone.
Vice President Mike Pence also visited troops in Iraq this week.
