US Vice President Kamala Harris has strongly condemned her Republican presidential rival Donald Trump for his latest go to to Arlington Nationwide Cemetery, accusing him of disrespecting “hallowed floor” for political achieve.
The Democratic presidential candidate criticized Trump’s actions in a submit on social media platform X, saying Arlington Nationwide Cemetery is a “solemn place the place we collect to honor American heroes” and “isn’t a spot for politics.”
The controversy arose after Trump visited the cemetery to put a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marking three years because the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was joined by Gold Star households whose kin died through the chaotic exit.
Trump’s marketing campaign filmed the occasion and used the footage in marketing campaign movies, drawing criticism for violating federal regulation and Pentagon insurance policies banning political actions contained in the cemetery.
Harris stated the cemetery is a spot to honor fallen service members, not a spot for political agendas.
He referred to studies that Trump’s marketing campaign crew instigated a confrontation with a cemetery worker and filmed Trump on the graves of veterans who served in Afghanistan, regardless of being warned about web site laws.
“Let me be clear: The previous president disrespected sacred floor, all with a view to accomplish a political stunt,” Harris stated.
The Trump marketing campaign has defended its actions, claiming that they obtained permission from the Gold Star households to deliver “campaign-designated media” to the cemetery. Nonetheless, Arlington Nationwide Cemetery officers have denied this, claiming that the cemetery employees member was “verbally assaulted and shoved apart” by two Trump marketing campaign aides.
Harris additionally famous Trump’s historical past of conflicts with veterans, reiterating earlier accusations that he referred to fallen service members as “suckers” and “losers” and demeaned Medal of Honor recipients.
“He’s a person incapable of understanding something past his personal pursuits,” she stated. “I’ll all the time honor the service and sacrifice of all of America’s heroes… and I’ll by no means use their reminiscence for political achieve.”
TRUMP’S TEAM SAYS THEY INVITED HIM
Amid a storm of criticism, the Trump marketing campaign launched movies of kin of the 13 troopers killed throughout US withdrawal from AfghanistanKinfolk questioned Harris’ help for navy households and claimed Trump had been invited to the ceremony.
“Kamala, your assertion is nothing greater than political spin to make your self look higher in your presidential marketing campaign towards Donald Trump,” one mother or father stated. “You might have by no means been in our footwear for a single day. Our youngsters have been killed due to your administration.”
Different relations additionally defended Trump, denying any disruptive conduct through the go to.
“We welcomed President Donald J. Trump to put a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with our household and go to the grave web site,” stated one other member of the family. “Trump and his crew have been respectful, listened to our tales and did not discuss a lot.”
