Kamala Harris: Trump ‘disrespected sacred ground’ during cemetery visit

Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for the upcoming White House race, has publicly accused Donald Trump of “disrespecting sacred ground” during his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery. This statement comes amid growing controversy surrounding an alleged incident between Trump campaign workers and cemetery staff.

On Saturday, the vice president criticized the former president and Republican nominee for allegedly turning a wreath-laying ceremony, held to honor the sacrifices of U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, into a mere publicity stunt. The U.S. Army has claimed that two campaign workers representing Trump disregarded an official request prohibiting photography at the graves of fallen service members. They were accused of pushing aside a cemetery staff member who was informing them of these regulations.

In a detailed post on X, Harris pointed out that Arlington National Cemetery, which serves as the final resting place for over 400,000 veterans and their eligible dependents dating back to the Civil War, should remain free of political agendas.

She stated, “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.” Harris underscored the importance of honoring veterans and military families, conveying that these individuals deserve the utmost respect and appreciation.

Harris emphasized, “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.” She firmly expressed that those who cannot uphold this collective obligation should not be entrusted with the responsibilities of the presidency.

During a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Trump defended his actions, stating he only posed for photographs with families who invited him to do so. He claimed, “I don’t need publicity. I get a lot of publicity. I would like to get a lot less publicity.”

Harris concluded her statement by honoring the fallen soldiers, stating, “I mourn them and salute them. And I will never politicize them.” Her remarks reflect a broader frustration voiced by Democrats, who are now demanding a formal report from the U.S. Army regarding the incident involving Trump’s campaign staff.

In a letter to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, congressional Democrats requested a report by Monday concerning the altercation. They are seeking clarity on whether Trump’s campaign had violated federal laws or cemetery regulations and if the campaign informed families of service members buried at the cemetery that their gravestones would be featured in political ads.

The cemetery is traditionally regarded as a neutral space, free from political activities. However, Trump’s visit—initiated by family members of soldiers who died in Kabul—was marked by the presence of campaign photographers. An Army spokesperson reported that during the visit, a female official at the cemetery was “abruptly pushed aside” amidst tensions over the photography issue.

The military characterized the situation as “unfortunate” and added that the professionalism of the cemetery employee involved has faced unwarranted criticism. The employee has chosen not to pursue charges related to the incident.

According to the Army, Arlington National Cemetery hosts nearly 3,000 public ceremonies each year “without incident.” Visitors to the ceremony attended by Trump were made aware of existing laws prohibiting political activities on the grounds.

The Trump campaign has claimed they received explicit authorization to bring “campaign-designated media” into the section of the cemetery dedicated to Gold Star families. They contested the version of events presented by the Army, insisting that no physical altercation occurred and offered to release footage to counter any defamatory claims.

Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin noted that the Trump campaign seemed to disregard regulations by arriving at the cemetery with a photographer and videographer, filming footage intended for political purposes.

Raskin also referenced an apology from Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who attended the ceremony with Trump and posted photos online. Cox admitted in a social media post that the event did not follow the proper procedures and expressed regret for the oversight.

As political dynamics evolve, Republicans are attempting to leverage the recent U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to challenge Harris. In a recent CNN interview, Harris confirmed her role in the decision-making process leading to the withdrawal, stating, “I do” when asked if she felt comfortable with the president’s choice.

Ultimately, the incident at Arlington National Cemetery has sparked a significant political debate, highlighting issues of respect, honor, and the intersection of politics and military remembrance.

Source: source names