Former US President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery to honor 13 US soldiers killed during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has sparked a political firestorm. The controversy centers around Trump’s alleged use of the solemn ceremony for political gain, a claim vehemently denied by the families of the fallen soldiers.
Trump shared messages from eight members of the “Gold Star” families on his social media platform, TruthSocial, claiming they had invited him to the ceremony and were critical of Vice President Kamala Harris for criticizing his involvement. The former president’s visit was met with public rebuke from the US Army, which accused Trump campaign officials of turning the ceremony into a photo opportunity. The army specifically alleged that two campaign workers pushed aside a cemetery official after being told they were not allowed to take photographs at the graves.
Vice President Harris, a staunch critic of Trump, slammed the former president, stating, “It is not a place for politics. Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.” She further emphasized that she would “never politicize” such an event.
However, the families of the fallen soldiers defended Trump’s visit, instead blaming the Biden administration for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Mark Schmitz, father of Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, stated in a video shared by Trump, “Why did we want Trump there? It wasn’t to help his political campaign. We wanted a leader. That explains why you and Joe didn’t get a call.” Darren Hoover, father of Marine Staff Sgt Taylor Hoover, echoed similar sentiments, calling Harris’s criticism a lack of “empathy and basic understanding” and describing Trump’s visit as “respectful.”
Former Democratic congresswoman and Iraq veteran Tulsi Gabbard, now part of Trump’s campaign team, further defended Trump, stating that she witnessed “a very grave and somber remembrance and honoring of those lives that were lost” at the ceremony. Gabbard also alleged that President Biden and Harris were invited by some family members but didn’t attend or respond to the invitation.
The controversy highlights the partisan divide surrounding the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and Trump’s political legacy. While Democrats accuse Trump of using the cemetery visit for political gain, Republicans have rallied around the former president, reiterating the families’ invitation to him. The conflicting narratives underscore the deeply polarized political landscape in the US.
