Kamala Harris shreds Donald Trump for disrespecting 'sacred' Arlington cemetery for 'political stunt'

WASHINGTON, DC: Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris labeled former president Donald Trump's controversial photo-op at the Arlington National Cemetery as a 'political stunt' as she addressed the issue in a lengthy tweet on Saturday, August 31.

Trump visited the site maintained by the US Army on August 26 to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony, commemorating the 13 troopers who lost their lives during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

The deceased officials were laid to rest in Section 60, where filming and photography are restricted for visitors.

Campaign officials of the GOP presidential nominee allegedly reportedly had a physical altercation with a cemetery official who tried to prevent them from entering the area.

Later, photographs shared by the campaign showed Trump next to the graves with family members of a deceased soldier, smiling with a thumbs-up gesture.

The photographs, as well as the actions of the Trump campaign officials, have earned widespread criticism online, which only increased as the former president tried to shift the blame for the photographs on the Gold Star families during a later interview.

Kamala Harris' scathing tweet against Donald Trump over Arlington visit 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) during the weekend, Kamala Harris called out Donald Trump over the Arlington National Cemetery controversies.

She claimed that while the "sacred ground" was "not a place for politics", the action was on brand for her political rival.

"As Vice President, I have had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation," she wrote. "It is not a place for politics."

"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. A man who, during a previous visit to the cemetery, reportedly said of fallen service members, 'I don’t get it. What was in it for them?' This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself," she shared.

According to the New York Post, Trump has long denied making the "suckers" and "losers" comment that was cited in a September 2020 story in The Atlantic.

"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," continued Harris.

"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."

"I will always honor the service and sacrifice of all of America’s fallen heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our beloved nation and our cherished freedoms. I mourn them and salute them. And I will never politicize them," she vowed in conclusion.

Conservatives defend Donald Trump over disastrous Arlington cemetery visit

Darin Hoover, the father of Marine Staff Sgt Taylor Hoover, one of the fallen troopers laid to rest at the Arlington Cemetery reportedly told the New York Post that Trump's presence was not a campaign event and that they had invited him on a personal capacity.

Conservatives cited his claim on X while defending the former president in response to Harris' tweet.

"You were campaigning, Biden was relaxing on a beach, and Trump accepted an invitation from the families who lost their children because of your incompetence," stated one social media user.

"You’re pushing this hoax now too? Also, you are disrespecting the Gold Star Families that invited him there. You’re suggesting he should have ignored them like the dilapidated husk of a 'President' who you betrayed?" asked another.

"You can't even say the names of the soldiers you got killed, because you don't care about them. The Gold Star families invited Trump to be there, because they despise you and Biden - and value a real leader. You are vile pond scum," one person remarked.

"This is yet another disgusting lie! Trump was invited by the Abby Gate Gold Star families to attend. Biden and Harris were also invited. Trump accepted and went to honor. Biden and Harris didn’t even reply to the families. Never forget Afghanistan. Kamala already has," expressed another.

"Heaping political insults on the man who honored the grieving families of people whose deaths you caused is really something to behold," shared one individual.

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