Current:Home > MarketsTrump issues statement from Gold Star families defending Arlington Cemetery visit and ripping Harris-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Trump issues statement from Gold Star families defending Arlington Cemetery visit and ripping Harris
View Date:2024-12-23 16:23:08
ATLANTA (AP) — Donald Trump’s campaign issued a statement Sunday from the Gold Star military families who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery as they defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate politicizing fallen U.S. service members.
It’s the latest volley in an extended back and forth as Trump tries to saddle Harris with the Biden administration’s handling of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, including a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members.
Harris on Saturday accused Trump of staging a “political stunt” that “disrespected sacred ground” where many Afghanistan war dead are buried. Trump and the families of some of those killed in the bombing blame Harris, as they did President Joe Biden before he ended his reelection bid, for their loved ones’ deaths. The families say the former president was honoring their loved ones when he came to Arlington.
His campaign later distributed images of the visit despite the cemetery’s prohibition on partisan activity on the grounds.
“President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s deaths,” said the relatives’ joint statement. “He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”
Gold Star families have lost a loved one in military service.
Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt. Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. They were among 13 U.S. service members and more than 100 Afghans who died in an Aug. 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport as U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan.
Trump thanked the family members for their statement via social media. “Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you ... and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine,” he wrote.
Throughout the weekend, Trump has used his social media accounts to distribute video testimonials from some relatives who signed the joined the statement.
Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said in a 90-second message that Trump and his aides were “respectful” and a “a comfort” to the families who gathered at Arlington. Then she directly addressed her remarks to Harris.
“Why won’t you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-law’s death a success?” Shamblin said. “Why would you take a day where we celebrated the deaths of our loved ones and use it to disparage not only them, but us.”
Biden and first lady Jill Biden went to Dover Air Force Base in 2021 for the ceremony returning the service members’ remains to U.S. soil. The Bidens met privately with family members at Dover. The Bidens were joined at the ceremony by several top aides in the administration, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Shamblin was among the several family members who also spoke at the Republican National Convention in July on Trump’s behalf. Several family members have joined Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, on a conference call with media.
Trump’s appearance ballooned into controversy after defense officials said his campaign was warned about not taking photographs and that there was an altercation between Trump aides and a cemetery employee. Officials have said since that an employee whom two Trump campaign staff members allegedly “verbally abused and pushed” aside has declined to press charges.
What to know about the 2024 Election
- Today’s news: Follow live updates from the campaign trail from the AP.
- We want to hear from you: Are you a nonwhite evangelical planning to vote for Harris? Tell us why you’re supporting her and if you’re campaigning for her.
- Ground Game: Sign up for AP’s weekly politics newsletter to get it in your inbox every Monday.
- AP’s Role: The Associated Press is the most trusted source of information on election night, with a history of accuracy dating to 1848. Learn more.
The Trump campaign has since lashed out at Pentagon officials, with a top campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, referring to military spokespersons as “hacks.” Trump campaign officials say the campaign had permission to bring someone to take video.
Since Biden ended his reelection bid in July, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has highlighted the vice president’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.
Biden’s administration was following a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military and the Taliban takeover.
Campaigning this year, Trump has said that leaving was the right thing to do but that the Biden administration’s execution was poor.
“We were going to do it with dignity and strength,” he said in a recent speech in Michigan.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
- Why Victoria Beckham Is Stepping Out at Paris Fashion Week With Crutches
- Joey Votto says he's had 10 times more analyst job offers than playing offers
- Did Charlotte the stingray give birth? Fans, social media are abuzz as 'baby' watch begins
- Trump breaks GOP losing streak in nation’s largest majority-Arab city with a pivotal final week
- Have the Courage To Wear a Full Denim Look This Spring With Coach’s New Jean-Inspired Drop
- Lynette Woodard talks Caitlin Clark's scoring record, why she's so excited for what's next
- Pharrell encouraged Miley Cyrus to 'go for it' and shed Hannah Montana image from Disney
- 'America's flagship' SS United States has departure from Philadelphia to Florida delayed
- Film director who was shot by Alec Baldwin says it felt like being hit by a baseball bat
Ranking
- Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- Cam Newton apologizes for fight at Georgia youth football camp: 'There's no excuse'
- Millie Bobby Brown Puzzles Fans With Her New Accent
- National Pig Day: Piglet used as 'football' in game of catch finds forever home after rescue
- All the Ways Megan Fox Hinted at Her Pregnancy With Machine Gun Kelly
- NFL draft prospect Tyler Owens nearly breaks world broad-jump record, exits workout with injury
- Kacey Musgraves announces world tour in support of new album 'Deeper Well,' new song
- Migrant brawl at reception center in Panama’s Darien region destroys shelter
Recommendation
-
Kyle Richards Swears This Holiday Candle Is the Best Scent Ever and She Uses It All Year
-
Jax Taylor Breaks Silence on Separation From Brittany Cartwright
-
Ghana's parliament passes strict new anti-LGBTQ legislation to extend sentences and expand scope
-
'No minimum age to start': Illinois teen says investing young allowed her to buy Tesla
-
Tua Tagovailoa playing with confidence as Miami Dolphins hope MNF win can spark run
-
Ayesha Curry Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 4 With Husband Stephen Curry
-
California's Miracle Hot Springs closes indefinitely following 2nd death in 16 months
-
Elle King Returns to the Stage After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Incident