Ladies and gentlemen, there’s been quite a stir following Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent remarks about former President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery. It’s a moment that’s sparked a lot of debate, and here’s why.
Vice President Harris took to the stage this past Saturday to criticize Trump, accusing him of using sacred ground for a political stunt. She claimed that Trump’s team filmed a video at Arlington, leading to an altercation with cemetery staff. But the situation is far more complex, and some of Harris’s statements have drawn heavy criticism.
Let’s start with the context. Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery was to honor the 13 U.S. soldiers who tragically lost their lives during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021—a withdrawal that was signed off by none other than Harris herself. This was a solemn occasion, a time for remembrance, and Trump was joined by Gold Star families who had lost their loved ones in that devastating attack.
You are responsible for the deaths of the Abbey Gate 13.
You let in the murderers of Jocelyn Nungaray, Laken Riley and Rachel Morin.
You have trafficked more children into America than any person on earth.
You have never once met with the families of your victims.
HEARTLESS. https://t.co/TwFHiBiURe
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) August 31, 2024
The controversy began when Harris alleged that Trump’s team disrespected the cemetery by filming there, an accusation that quickly caught fire. But here’s the thing: Trump’s team had permission from the cemetery to have his media team present. In fact, the cemetery’s guidelines specifically allow former presidents to have official photographers and videographers accompany them, a privilege that was extended to Trump.
Adding another layer to the story, it turns out that Joe Biden, while serving as vice president, also had his media team with him during a visit to Arlington’s Section 60 back in 2010. That footage was later used in a campaign ad for his 2020 presidential run. So, the question arises: Why is Trump’s team being singled out for something that Biden himself did?
Hearing it was Tony West's idea for Kamala to do the Arlington post. Jen Dillon had no idea it was coming out. And Walz was completely left out entirely
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) September 1, 2024
And then there’s the matter of Harris repeating a debunked claim that Trump had called fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers.” This claim has been denied by multiple officials, including those who were on the trip with Trump when the alleged comments were made. Nevertheless, Harris brought it up again, which has only fueled the backlash against her.
Critics argue that Harris’s comments were not only inaccurate but also disrespectful to the families who were present with Trump. Gold Star families who attended the event released a statement expressing their gratitude to Trump for his presence and for honoring their children with the utmost respect. They had given permission for Trump’s media team to be there, emphasizing that everything was done with dignity.
The reactions to Harris’s comments have been swift and sharp. Trump’s campaign has pushed back hard, with spokesperson Karoline Levitt accusing Harris of playing politics with a solemn event. Levitt highlighted that Harris was deeply involved in the decision-making process of the Afghanistan withdrawal, a move that many view as a disastrous chapter in recent U.S. military history.