Kamala Harris Takes Potshot At Trump, Calls His Arlington National Cemetery Visit A ‘Political Stunt’
Washington DC: In her latest scathing attack on former US President and Republican presidential rival Donald Trump, Vice President Kamala Harris criticized him for his campaign at Arlington National Cemetery, stating that the soldiers’ burial site is “not a place for politics.” Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery to remember and honor the 13 soldiers who were killed during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
A video of the visit posted by the Trump campaign on TikTok showed him walking through Arlington and visiting grave sites, with audio of him criticising the Biden administration’s “disaster” of the Afghanistan withdrawal, CNN had reported. It was further reported that two members of Donald Trump’s campaign staff had a verbal and physical altercation with an official at the cemetery
Sharing a post on X on Saturday, Harris said the cemetery is not a place for politics. “As Vice President, I have had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation.”
The post further added, “It is not a place for politics. And yet, as was reported this week, Donald Trump’s team chose to film a video there, resulting in an altercation with cemetery staff. Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.”
Intensifying her criticism, Harris referred to Trump’s history of insulting army veterans.
“This is nothing new from Donald Trump. This is a man who has called our fallen service members “suckers” and “losers” and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients. A man who, during a previous visit to the cemetery, reportedly said of fallen service members, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them? This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself,” Harris said.
The Democratic presidential candidate emphasised that all Americans share a common belief — to hold veterans, military families, and service members in the highest esteem.
“If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude. And it is my belief that someone who cannot meet this simple, sacred duty should never again stand behind the seal of the President of the United States of America,” Harris said on X.
Harris once again affirmed her views regarding the military, conveying deep appreciation for their hard work and sacrifices. She pledged not to exploit their service for political advantage. In a statement made on X, she committed to perpetually remembering and respecting those fallen heroes who valiantly gave their lives for the nation’s freedom, and promised never to manipulate their memories for political purposes.
