Current:Home > ScamsHarris calls Trump’s appearance at Arlington a ‘political stunt’ that ‘disrespected sacred ground’ -ProfitLogic
Harris calls Trump’s appearance at Arlington a ‘political stunt’ that ‘disrespected sacred ground’
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:40:58
Vice President Kamala Harris said former President Donald Trump “disrespected sacred ground” in his recent appearance at Arlington National Cemetery, where the Republican nominee took and distributed images despite a federal prohibition on campaign activity on the grounds.
Harris, in a statement posted Saturday on the social media platform X, cited reports that Trump’s campaign aides created an altercation with a cemetery staffer and proceeded to take photographs and film the former president, including at the graves of Afghanistan war veterans, after being warned about rules at the site.
“Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt,” Harris said, calling Arlington a “solemn place where we come together to honor American heroes ... not a place for politics.”
The original incident stemmed from Trump’s and Republicans’ continued criticism of President Joe Biden and now Harris for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. At the invitation of some family members of service members killed during the withdrawal, Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. They were among 13 U.S. service members and more than 100 Afghans who died in an Aug. 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Trump’s campaign was warned about not taking photographs before an altercation at the cemetery, according to defense officials. Officials have said since that an Arlington employee whom two Trump campaign staff members allegedly “verbally abused and pushed” aside has declined to press charges. The Trump campaign has since lashed out at Pentagon officials, with a top campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, referring to military spokespersons as “hacks.” Trump campaign officials say it had permission to bring someone to take video.
Since Biden ended his reelection bid, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically highlighted the vice president’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on Afghanistan.
Biden’s administration was following a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military and the Taliban takeover.
Harris on Saturday alluded to Trump’s history of picking fights with veterans and repeated allegations that he has “called our fallen service members ‘suckers’ and ‘losers’ and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients.”
“This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself,” Harris said. “I will always honor the service and sacrifice of all of America’s fallen heroes. ... And I will never politicize them.”
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Judge rules Willow oil project in Alaska's Arctic can proceed
- Chase on Texas border that killed 8 puts high-speed pursuits in spotlight again
- Frank Borman, Apollo 8 astronaut who orbited the moon, dies at age 95
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Conservative Muslims protest Coldplay’s planned concert in Indonesia over the band’s LGBTQ+ support
- California authorities seek video, urge patience in investigation into death of Jewish demonstrator
- Israel-Hamas war leaves thousands of Palestinians in Gaza facing death by starvation, aid group warns
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Man sentenced to life for fatally shooting 2 Dallas hospital workers after his girlfriend gave birth
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Stock market today: Asian shares fall after bond market stress hits Wall Street
- A Train Derailment Spilled Toxic Chemicals in her Ohio Town. Then She Ran for Mayor
- Taylor Swift’s Argentina concert takes political turn as presidential election nears
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Judge rules Willow oil project in Alaska's Arctic can proceed
- Manny Machado digs in at groundbreaking for San Diego FC’s training complex and academy
- Baby shark born to single mother – without a father – after apparent parthenogenesis
Recommendation
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
Hungary’s Orbán says negotiations on Ukraine’s future EU membership should not move forward
Sheryl Crow, Mickey Guyton to honor Tanya Tucker, Patti LaBelle on CMT's 'Smashing Glass'
Biggest stars left off USMNT Nations League roster. Latest injury update for Pulisic, Weah
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Taylor Swift returns to Eras Tour in 'flamingo pink' for sold-out Buenos Aires shows
Federal judge puts Idaho’s ‘abortion trafficking’ law on hold during lawsuit
When do babies start crawling? There's no hard and fast rule but here's when to be worried.