On Sunday, September 1st, Trump’s campaign team released a statement in response to opponent Harris’s accusation that Trump was engaging in political theatrics at the military cemetery and lacking respect. These family members stated that the former president visited Arlington National Cemetery to mourn their loved ones and countered by calling Harris the candidate who politicizes fallen soldiers.
Trump, on August 26th, accepted an invitation from the Gold Star military families organization to visit Arlington National Cemetery for a memorial to honor Nicole Gee, Darin Hoover, and Ryan Knauss by laying wreaths. They were among the casualties of the August 26, 2021, explosion at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which resulted in 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghan casualties.
In a joint statement, the Gold Star families wrote: “We invited President Trump to participate in a solemn ceremony to commemorate the third anniversary of our children’s passing.” “He came here to honor their sacrifice, but Vice President Harris distorted everything into a political tool, disregarding this sacred moment.”
Earlier, Trump expressed his gratitude for the statement from these family members on social media. He said, “Thank you for wanting me to stand with you… and take photos, that is your request, not mine.”
Trump’s cemetery visit has drawn criticism from some veterans and military families. Some believe Trump violated the cemetery’s prohibition on engaging in political activities, took photos with families of deceased soldiers in Afghanistan without permission, and uploaded the photos to social media. One photo showed Trump smiling with his teeth showing and giving a thumbs-up in front of a headstone while taking a photo with the families.
There have been claims of inappropriate attacks on staff enforcing the cemetery’s regulations. However, officials at the cemetery have refused to make accusations.
Harris, on Saturday, August 31st, accused the visit as a political performance and disrespectful to the sacred ground of burying fallen Afghanistan war victims. She wrote on X platform: “Let me be clear: the former president lacks respect for this sacred ground, and all of this is just for political showmanship.”