WASHINGTON, USA: Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris strongly condemned former President Donald Trump for “disrespecting sacred ground” during a controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Trump’s visit, meant to bolster his campaign ahead of the November 5 election, has ignited a heated debate that has drawn in both military officials and political figures.
On Monday, Trump visited Arlington Cemetery, located just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., breaking rules that prohibit photography for political purposes. He posed with relatives of U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan, and the images were later shared by his campaign on social media. In one photo, Trump is seen standing with the family of a fallen Marine, smiling and giving a thumbs-up among the headstones. Harris criticized this as a blatant political stunt, stating, “If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged.”
The U.S. Army confirmed that during the visit, a cemetery staff member who attempted to stop Trump’s team from filming in a restricted area was “abruptly pushed aside.” The Trump campaign retaliated by labeling the staff member as “despicable,” but the Army defended her actions as professional and called the incident “unfortunate.”
Trump defended his actions, claiming that the families of fallen soldiers had asked for photos with him. “I wasn’t doing it for publicity,” he asserted during a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He further blamed the Biden administration for the criticism, pointing to their handling of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he has made a central theme of his campaign.
Harris’s response reflects her readiness to challenge Trump head-on as the election draws closer. Trump’s relationship with the military has long been contentious; while he often praises the armed forces, his former chief of staff has alleged that he privately mocked the war dead and avoided being near military amputees.
Trump’s actions and the backlash they have sparked highlight the deep divisions and contentious rhetoric that are likely to shape the upcoming presidential race. The controversy over Arlington serves as a stark reminder of how the military and its sacrifices are frequently drawn into the political battleground.
