WASHINGTON, USA: Donald Trump’s campaign issued a statement on Sunday, endorsed by Gold Star military families, defending the former president’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
The statement comes amid a heated exchange between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris over the handling of the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members during a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Harris had accused Trump of staging a “political stunt” during his Arlington visit, which she claimed “disrespected sacred ground” where many Afghanistan war dead are buried.
Trump, alongside the families of some of the soldiers killed in the bombing, countered Harris’s claims, asserting that his visit was an act of honoring their sacrifices. The families, in their joint statement, expressed outrage at Harris for turning a commemorative event into a “political ploy.” They emphasized that Trump was invited by them to mark the third anniversary of their children’s deaths, and his actions were in response to their request.
During the Arlington visit, Trump laid wreaths in memory of fallen soldiers, including Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. Trump later shared his gratitude on social media, thanking the families for inviting him to be part of the event.
He also used his platform to share video testimonials from the bereaved families who voiced support for him. Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, described Trump and his aides as “respectful” and a “comfort” to the families present at Arlington, while criticizing Harris for her comments.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s visit was heightened after defence officials claimed his campaign was warned against taking photographs on the cemetery grounds, which is prohibited. Allegations surfaced that two Trump aides had verbally abused and pushed a cemetery employee, though the employee reportedly declined to press charges.
In response, Trump’s campaign dismissed these claims and criticized Pentagon officials, with campaign adviser Chris LaCivita referring to military spokespersons as “hacks.”
Trump has been particularly critical of Harris, accusing her of playing a key role in the decision-making process leading to the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Trump campaign highlighted Harris’s assertion that she was the last person in the room with President Joe Biden before the decision to withdraw was finalized.
Trump has focused his attacks on Harris, especially after Biden announced his decision to not seek reelection in July, making Harris a more prominent target in the political arena.
Although Trump has agreed that withdrawing from Afghanistan was the right decision, he has repeatedly condemned the Biden administration’s handling of the operation. He stated that while he planned to withdraw, he would have done so with “dignity and strength.” In a recent Fox News interview, Trump reiterated his stance that U.S. troops should have been the last to leave, criticizing the Biden administration for the chaotic and tragic turn of events that marked the withdrawal process.
The ongoing debate underscores the deep political divisions over the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and its aftermath, with both sides continuing to blame each other for the consequences of the decision. The controversy over Trump’s visit to Arlington highlights how the fallout from Afghanistan continues to shape the political landscape, becoming a focal point in the broader debate over US foreign policy and leadership.
