Tom Cotton shifts stance on 'sacred ground' amid Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Tom Cotton seems to have changed his stance on the "sacred ground" of the Arlington National Cemetery after the recent controversial visit by the GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump to Section 60 of the cemetery.

In his 2019 memoir, 'Sacred Duty: A Soldier’s Tour of Arlington National Cemetery,' Cotton recounted the 16 months, starting in early 2007, that he spent as an Army officer assigned to The Old Guard. This unit is responsible for overseeing the hallowed grounds made holy by American heroes, per the Daily Beast.

Tom Cotton shifts his stance on Arlington National Cemetery

Tom Cotton wrote in 'Sacred Duty' about Arlington National Cemetery, "I understand why some people call this bucolic patch of land the saddest acre in America, but I prefer to think of Section 60 as the noblest acre in America. The nobility of Section 60 runs deep in the soil of Arlington and in the soul of our nation."

He added, "Over the years, I have noticed something about Arlington. Although a sign welcomes visitors to 'our nation’s most sacred shrine', no rules are posted. Yet visitors somehow understand a proper code of conduct."

He also mentioned, "Arlington elicits instinctive reverence from citizen and soldier alike because this land is more than a cemetery... Arlington truly is sacred ground for our nation."

However, in a recent X post, Cotton expressed his approval of Trump’s Visit to Arlington Cemetery. He wrote, "Good for President Trump to honor the service and sacrifice of those fallen heroes and their loved ones."

He further said, "The scandal is not that Pres. Trump honored 13 brave Americans killed in Afghanistan. The scandal is Biden and Kamala sent those heroes into a needlessly dangerous situation. And Kamala doesn't have the decency to call their families and thank them for their sacrifice."

Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump over Arlington Cemetery altercation

Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris criticized Donald Trump over the controversy that involved his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery and said the military burial site is "not a place for politics," per BBC.

Harris criticized Trump on social media, stating that he "disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt."

The US Army mentioned that a Trump staffer "abruptly pushed aside" a cemetery employee who was trying to inform his team about the rules against photo opportunities in the cemetery. The Trump camp disputed this account, claiming they had received permission from the families of the fallen soldiers to film.

Harris added that she had visited Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia many times during her tenure as vice president, but had never used it for political gain.

She wrote, "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."

Tom Cotton slammed for shifting stance on Arlington National Cemetery

Many people on the internet criticized Tom Cotton for changing his stance on the "sacred ground" of Arlington National Cemetery following the recent controversial visit by Trump to Section 60 of the cemetery.

A user wrote on X, "The US Army thinks differently you idiot," while one added, "The real scandal is that you keep running as the senator from Arkansas when neither you nor your family lives here."

A person also stated, "What about the over 60 that died during Trump's time in office? Why are you being so dishonest?" whereas one mentioned, "Understanding politics and political history isn't your thing eh Tom."

A user also wrote, "The SCANDAL is his staff’s behavior there n using it for his campaign," while one commented, "Tommy, you in danger girl."

A person also said, "Honored? He and his group trampled on the graves of our fallen brothers and sisters in arms for a photo op and turned the area into a tourist trap. That’s not honor."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.