Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, received strong support from Gold Star families and campaign surrogates following a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The visit, held to honor the 13 U.S. service members killed during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, sparked controversy after Vice President Kamala Harris accused Trump of disrespecting the sacred site for political gain.
What Happened
The Trump campaign and Gold Star families began an offensive on Vice President Kamala Harris during the Labor Day weekend. Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery drew criticism from Harris, who said that Trump had "disrespected sacred ground" by permitting his campaign photographer to take pictures during the event. The visit occurred on the anniversary of the bombing of the Kabul airport, which claimed the lives of thirteen US service men in 2021 amid the tumultuous country's exit from Afghanistan.
At the request of the family of one of the slain military men, Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, Trump attended the wreath-laying ceremony. A campaign photographer was present to record video for the occasion, which was then posted on social media. As a result, media organizations like the Associated Press and NPR began to accuse Trump of breaking the cemetery's rules on political activities. A cemetery employee was reportedly "abruptly pushed aside" during the incident, according to the U.S. Army.
What GOP Lawmakers Are Saying
Republican lawmakers and Trump allies quickly rallied to his defense. Former Democratic Congresswoman and current Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard described the visit as a "very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost." She stated that permission had been obtained for the Trump campaign to bring a photographer to record the event, but she did not say by whom.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), who charged Harris of politicizing the visit, supported Trump as well. She attacked the Vice President for her part in the Biden administration's pullout from Afghanistan, claiming it was the direct cause of the military personnel' deaths. Stefanik said that Harris lacked authority to condemn Trump's conduct at Arlington, despite the fact that she was purportedly the last to advise President Biden on the pullout.
What Gold Star Families Said
Gold Star families, particularly those who lost loved ones in the Kabul bombing, expressed their anger at Harris’s comments. Darren Hoover, the father of Marine Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, directly addressed Harris in a video shared by Trump’s campaign. "You should be ashamed and embarrassed about your lack of empathy and decency as a human being," Hoover said. He accused Harris of being in politics solely for "power and prestige" and criticized her for not caring about the military or American citizens.
Hoover was one of eight Gold Star family members who recorded video messages condemning Harris for her remarks. They emphasized that Trump had been invited to the ceremony by the families themselves, and they had approved the presence of a campaign photographer to document the event.
What Trump Said
Spokesman Steven Cheung for the Trump campaign denied the reports of improper conduct at Arlington. The campaign was authorized to send a photographer, according to Cheung, who also said that the cemetery employee who tried to obstruct the photographer was suffering from a "mental health episode." He emphasized that the campaign's efforts were within the parameters of what had been permitted and that Trump's visit was a solemn event designed to commemorate the deceased service personnel.
Kamala Harris' Reaction
Vice President Kamala Harris escalated the controversy over the weekend by posting a statement on social media criticizing Trump’s visit. She accused the former president of using the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery for a "political stunt." While President Biden was away on vacation, Harris made her comments. Harris had not attended any memorial services or public ceremonies honoring the military members.
As Vice President, I have had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation.It is not a place for politics.And…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 31, 2024
The gap between the Biden administration and the Trump campaign widened as a result of Harris's comments, and Trump's supporters intensified their advocacy of the former president's policies. In response to claims that they were invited to the event by several Gold Star families but chose not to attend, neither Harris nor Biden have commented.