Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized former President Donald Trump for a recent controversy involving Arlington National Cemetery. Harris condemned Trump for what she described as a misuse of the military burial site for political purposes. The dispute centers around an incident where Trump’s staff reportedly interfered with cemetery rules prohibiting filming during a memorial event.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Army reported that a Trump staff member “abruptly pushed aside” a cemetery employee who was enforcing rules against filming. The event, which Trump attended, was meant to honor 13 U.S. service members who died during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago.
Harris took to social media to express her disapproval, stating that Trump “disrespected sacred ground” and used the cemetery for a “political stunt.” She emphasized that, during her own visits to the cemetery, she had always respected the site’s sanctity and would never use it for political gain.
In response, Trump defended his actions, claiming that he was asked by the families of the fallen soldiers to pose for photos at the site. He insisted that he did not need the publicity and was there solely to honor the soldiers’ sacrifices. The Trump campaign released a statement from Gold Star families, asserting that Trump was invited to the event and criticizing Harris for politicizing the moment.
The controversy has further intensified with Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, using the incident to attack the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Vance accused Harris of failing to fulfill her duties, reflecting the deepening partisan divide over the issue.
The U.S. Army has confirmed that federal law prohibits political campaigning at the cemetery and that participants were informed of these rules. Despite this, the Trump campaign has denied any physical altercation and is prepared to release footage to refute the claims. House Democrats have requested a full report from the Army to clarify the details of the incident.