You’d think it wouldn’t be difficult to maintain a level of recognizable respect at and around Arlington National Cemetery, a final resting place for deceased U.S. military service members. But then, there’s Trump.
Earlier this week, the Republican nominee and an entourage showed up to the cemetery for the ostensible purpose of marking the anniversary of an attack in Afghanistan amid the U.S. military’s withdrawal from that country that claimed the lives of 13 service members.
Imagery from the visit later showed up in Trump campaign materials circulating online, and at the cemetery itself, Trump posed for the camera, flashing a thumbs up. But that’s not even all. There were also reports of an altercation at the site as someone from the cemetery staff tried to stop potential filming in an area where recently deceased service members are laid to rest.
“And yet, as was reported this week, Donald Trump’s team chose to film a video there, resulting in an altercation with cemetery staff. Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt. This is nothing new from Donald Trump. This is a man who has called our fallen service members “suckers” and “losers” and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients,” said a statement posted to Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ personal/campaign account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Medal of Honor mess came just recently, with Trump insisting that civilian award the Presidential Medal of Freedom was “actually much better,” saying that Medal of Honor recipients are often either seriously injured or deceased. Many took Trump’s characterization as demeaning and an insult.
“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, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude. And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America,” Harris went on to say.
