Former President Donald J. Trump paid respects to the 13 American service men who died during the 2021 pullout from Afghanistan on Monday by visiting Arlington National Cemetery and placing a wreath. When Trump’s team recorded him in a forbidden part of the cemetery, it caused controversy and resulted in a fight between a campaign staffer and a cemetery administrator.
Vice President Kamala Harris publicly condemned Trump’s actions, claiming he used the solemn site for political purposes. Harris emphasized that Arlington National Cemetery, a revered burial ground for military personnel, should remain free from political stunts.
Harris’ Public Reprimand
Harris denounced Trump in a social media message for supposedly destroying “holy ground” in order to further his political agenda. She emphasized that Arlington is “not a place for politics,” citing her own courteous travels there as vice president.
Harris stated, “If someone is unable to carry out this fundamental, holy responsibility, I believe that no one should ever again bear the seal of the President of the United States of America.”
Trump’s Defense and Response
In response, Trump defended his visit, asserting that he was asked by the families of the deceased service members to take photos with them at Arlington. He argued that his presence and the photos were meant to honor the fallen rather than campaign for political gain.
Trump’s campaign, while not responding immediately to Harris’ comments, has consistently criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Trump himself has used the incident to attack Biden and Harris, claiming that their “incompetence” led to the deaths of the 13 service members.
Trump’s Allies Weigh In
Trump’s running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, vehemently defended the former president. Vance accused Harris of avoiding accountability for the Afghanistan withdrawal and criticized her for focusing on Trump’s visit rather than addressing what he views as a failure of the Biden administration.
Vance said that President Trump attended at the request of families whose loved ones perished as a result of your ineptitude. Would you please stop using social media and look into their needless deaths?
Army’s Reprimand and Further Reactions
The U.S. Army condemned the Trump campaign’s actions, stating that filming in restricted areas of Arlington National Cemetery violates federal law. According to the Army, Trump’s campaign was aware of these regulations but proceeded with the filming, even pushing aside a cemetery worker who tried to enforce the rules.
The Army defended the professionalism of the implicated cemetery staff in a rare public criticism. Regarding the claims made by Trump’s campaign that the employee was going through a “mental health episode,” the Army stressed how important it is to respect the rules and the people who are in charge of implementing them.
🚨 NEW: NPR is DEFAMING President Trump, saying he was wasn’t allowed to take photographs at Arlington National Cemetery
This is simply a LIE.
President Trump was invited to a private ceremony by the families of fallen soldiers from the disastrous Biden Harris withdrawal from… pic.twitter.com/L7fNpBQszX
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 28, 2024Historical Context and Political Norms
Historically, the use of Arlington National Cemetery for political purposes has been controversial. In 1999, Senator John McCain faced backlash for including footage of himself at the cemetery in a campaign ad. While McCain’s campaign quickly removed the footage and apologized, Trump’s response has been notably different.
Unlike past candidates who have promptly addressed and rectified similar incidents, Trump’s campaign has resisted acknowledging any wrongdoing. This has led to further criticism and a more robust defense from both Trump and his supporters.
Political science experts note that while dragging the military into partisan politics is not unprecedented, the Trump campaign’s response—characterized by defiance and attacks—marks a departure from traditional political decorum. Peter D. Feaver, a Duke University political science professor, remarked on the unusual nature of Trump’s reaction, emphasizing the departure from typical responses to such controversies.
The incident at Arlington National Cemetery has ignited a heated debate about political conduct and respect for military traditions. As the controversy continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, reflecting broader tensions within U.S. politics and public life.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining the separation between military reverence and political activity, as well as the complexities of navigating such sensitive issues in today’s polarized political environment.
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