Democrats Find Chance to Criticize Trump on Military After Arlington Incident

Recent events at Arlington National Cemetery have sparked significant political controversy, providing Democrats and veterans’ organizations with a new opportunity to criticize former President Donald Trump. This ongoing dispute follows an incident where a staff member at the cemetery clashed with individuals from Trump’s campaign during a visit this week.

The altercation occurred during a wreath-laying ceremony intended to honor the victims of the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and numerous Afghan citizens. Several Democratic lawmakers have since condemned Trump, stating that the incident highlights his disregard for military values and the memory of those who gave their lives for the country.

Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), a former Navy helicopter pilot, expressed her outrage on social media, emphasizing that Arlington National Cemetery is not a place for political theatrics. She described the cemetery as a “sacred resting place for American patriots” and condemned Trump for his apparent disrespect towards military veterans.

Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) demanded transparency surrounding the incident, lamenting that it was “sad but all too expected” for Trump to prioritize political interests over honoring fallen heroes. Additionally, Representative Jared Golden (D-Maine), a former Marine, asserted the importance of respecting the solemn decorum associated with such a hallowed place as Arlington.

An Army spokesperson confirmed that a staff member had been “abruptly pushed aside” while attempting to enforce a political activity ban at the cemetery, which prohibits campaign photography. Trump’s campaign stated that they were at the cemetery with permission from the families of slain service members, and believed they had the right to use a photographer in the heavily restricted Section 60, known for honoring those who perished in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

However, cemetery officials maintain that photographing gravesites for political purposes is strictly prohibited by federal law. Trump’s actions have reignited discussions regarding his past comments and behavior towards military service members, which have drawn criticism multiple times.

Democrats have highlighted Trump’s comments from a visit to a World War I cemetery in France, where he reportedly referred to deceased Marines as “suckers” and “losers.” Trump has disputed these claims in the past. His remarks about late Senator John McCain, who he declined to label a war hero due to being captured in Vietnam, also continue to draw ire.

Academic experts have weighed in on the matter, with Richard Kohn, a professor specializing in civil-military relations at the University of North Carolina, stating that Trump’s actions reflect a longstanding pattern of disrespect toward the military. He noted that Trump’s approach undermines traditional boundaries that prevent the military from becoming entangled in domestic politics.

Retired Army General Wesley Clark, who held the position of NATO supreme allied commander, expressed strong disapproval, labeling Trump’s decision to use Section 60 for political purposes as “deeply offensive.” He described the action as a stunt and emphasized that Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground for many who have lost friends in conflict.

Despite the outrage from Trump’s critics, relatively few Republicans have publicly rebuked him. Political analyst John Feehery suggested that the incident is unlikely to affect Trump’s electoral prospects.

Matt Bennett, executive vice president for a progressive think tank, echoed this sentiment, stating that such behavior should render a candidate unfit for office. However, he believes it will likely be overlooked amid the numerous controversies surrounding Trump.

The conflict at the cemetery involved confrontations between Trump campaign staffers and a cemetery employee, managed by the Office of Army Cemeteries. Although a police report was filed, the employee chose not to press charges, leading to the case’s closure.

In a series of responses, Trump’s campaign representatives criticized the cemetery worker, accusing her of having a “mental health episode” and labeling her as “despicable.” Additionally, Trump’s running mate, Sen. JD Vance, downplayed the incident, suggesting it was blown out of proportion by the media.

The altercation has not gone unnoticed by veterans’ organizations, many of whom are outraged by the politicization of Arlington National Cemetery. VoteVets, a progressive veterans group, called the whole episode sickening, asserting that the site is not meant for political stunts.

Jacob Thomas, from the left-leaning organization Common Defense, stated that Arlington is sacred ground and criticized the use of it for campaign photography. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) also reaffirmed their support for the rules governing visitor conduct at the cemetery, emphasizing respect for those buried there.

Allison Jaslow, from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, expressed her view that any political activities should be kept far away from Arlington. She stressed the necessity for any aspiring elected official, particularly those wanting to lead the military, to recognize the sanctity of such sites.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the incident will affect public perception and the political landscape moving forward.

Source: The Hill