Veterans Criticize Trump Campaign's Actions at Arlington National Cemetery

Smart World August 29, 2024

Veterans Criticize Trump Campaign's Actions at Arlington National Cemetery
"Veterans express anger over a political campaign's actions at Arlington Cemetery, calling the behavior disrespectful. Learn more about the incident and responses."
 


Veterans Criticize Trump Campaign's Actions at Arlington National Cemetery

A recent incident involving former President Donald Trump's campaign at Arlington National Cemetery has drawn strong reactions from veterans. The event, which took place on Monday, has sparked criticism, with some veterans calling the behavior "disrespectful" and "offensive."

Incident at Arlington National Cemetery

  • Date and Location: The incident occurred on Monday at Arlington National Cemetery, specifically in Section 60, where recently deceased U.S. service members are buried.
  • The Dispute: A member of Trump's entourage was reportedly involved in a confrontation with a senior cemetery official while attempting to enter Section 60, where photography is restricted. Video footage from this area later appeared in a Trump campaign TikTok video.

Veterans' Reactions

  • Anger and Disappointment: Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army combat veteran, expressed his anger, stating, "Donald Trump has no right to use our most sacred ground for his political purposes."
  • Call for Apology: Wellman, along with other veterans, believes the Trump team should apologize for using the cemetery grounds for political promotion instead of attacking the cemetery official who tried to enforce the photography ban.

Trump's Wreath-Laying Ceremony

  • Purpose: The incident occurred after Trump laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the 13 Americans killed in a suicide bombing at the Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
  • After the Ceremony: Following the wreath-laying, Trump and his team, along with relatives of a fallen soldier, visited the gravesite in Section 60, where the confrontation occurred.

Responses from Veterans and Officials

  • Criticism of Campaign Tactics: Patrick Murphy, former Army undersecretary and Pennsylvania representative, criticized the Trump campaign for using the cemetery as a backdrop for political material, calling it a "great disgrace."
  • VoteVets' Statement: Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Paul Eaton, a senior advisor at VoteVets, called the campaign's actions "disgusting." He referenced previous reports, denied by Trump, where Trump allegedly referred to World War II veterans as "suckers" and "losers."

Cemetery's Response and Public Reaction

  • Cemetery's Statement: Arlington National Cemetery confirmed that an incident occurred in Section 60 regarding photography. No charges have been filed, according to a police official.
  • Campaign's Defense: Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung claimed that the group had permission to film in Section 60 and accused the cemetery official of "having a mental health episode."
  • Veterans' Backlash: The campaign's response, which questioned the mental health of a respected cemetery official, further angered veterans and veterans' groups.

Family Members' Involvement

  • Invitation to Trump: Family members of some of the service members who died in the Kabul bombing invited Trump to the wreath-laying ceremony.
  • Family Statement: They issued a statement thanking and defending Trump, saying, "We are deeply grateful to the president for taking the time to honor our children and for standing by us in our grief."

Legal and Ethical Concerns

  • Legal Issues: Wellman pointed out that while Trump's desire to honor the fallen is understandable, it must comply with the law. He emphasized that there is a federal law prohibiting the use of the cemetery for political purposes.
  • Veterans' Concerns: Wellman also noted that the families do not have the right to make decisions for others buried at the cemetery, emphasizing the importance of respecting the law and the sanctity of the burial grounds.

Trump's Controversial Relationship with Veterans

  • Ongoing Criticism: Trump's relationship with the military community has been strained by previous controversial comments. He recently upset veterans by suggesting that the civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom is "much better" than the military Medal of Honor because recipients of the latter are often severely injured or deceased.



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