Gold Star families support Trump’s visit to Arlington Cemetery and criticize Harris.
Gold Star families, whose loved ones sacrificed their lives during the tragic terrorist attack at Kabul airport, have found themselves at the center of controversy following a visit to Arlington National Cemetery with former President Donald Trump. The families, who attended the memorial to honor their fallen heroes, have come forward to voice their criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris for attacking Trump in the aftermath of the visit.
Harris took to social media to condemn Trump and his campaign for what she perceived as disrespecting the sacred ground of Arlington National Cemetery for the sake of a political stunt. Amidst these allegations, Trump responded with a series of short videos featuring the Gold Star families, some of whom invited him to the memorial and others who did not.
In one of the videos, Gold Star father Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, expressed that their intention was not to assist Trump’s campaign but to have a leader present at the ceremony. “We wanted a leader,” Schmitz emphasized, shedding light on the families’ desire for dignified representation.
Another Gold Star father, Jim McCollum, the father of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, directed poignant remarks at Harris, questioning her ability to sleep at night knowing that the current administration, including President Biden and Vice President Harris, played a role in the tragic incident that claimed the lives of their children. McCollum expressed his disappointment at the lack of acknowledgment and outreach from Harris, emphasizing her failure in duty as vice president to address their grievances.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery escalated recently, prompting Harris to publicly address the issue following reports of an altercation between a cemetery official and a Trump campaign staffer during the visit. While the Trump campaign claimed permission to bring media onto the grounds, federal regulations at Army National Military Cemeteries strictly prohibit filming for partisan, political, or fundraising purposes.
The Army confirmed an incident where a cemetery employee was allegedly pushed aside by a member of Trump’s campaign, leading to a police report that was later closed due to the employee choosing not to press charges. Trump has since defended his actions, incorporating the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle into his campaign rhetoric and blaming the Biden-Harris administration for the tragic events.
“These are great people, and when you think about it, Joe Biden killed their children by incompetence. It should never happen. Kamala killed their children, just as though they had a gun in their hand, by gross incompetence,” Trump stated, underscoring his stance on the matter during campaign stops.
Notably, several Gold Star families expressed a desire to take photos with Trump during the visit, highlighting their appreciation for his presence and the respect shown for the fallen servicemembers at the memorial. Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, defended Trump’s visit, noting that their actions during the visit were solemn and aligned with the reverence deserved by military members laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Gold Star families’ sentiments reflect a deep sense of loss, admiration for their fallen loved ones, and a call for accountability from current political leaders. As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Kabul attack and subsequent political fallout, honoring the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice should remain a unifying priority for all Americans.
