Trump’s History of Outrage Regarding Veterans Despite Military Voter Support

NEW YORK — An incident involving Donald Trump’s campaign staff at Arlington National Cemetery has reignited criticism from veterans and their families regarding the former president’s past remarks and behavior towards the military.

Since he began his journey towards the presidency in 2015, Trump has frequently clashed with military members and veterans in a way that is uncommon among major U.S. political figures. His record of contentious statements includes dismissing the military service of the late Senator John McCain, who was a prisoner of war. Supporters assert that Trump’s actions demonstrate his commitment to service members, while allowing him to respond aggressively to his detractors.

Ohio Senator JD Vance, who is also Trump’s running mate, spoke in defense of Trump, stating that families of fallen service members have a more accurate perception of the former president’s respect for their sacrifices than those who hold animosity towards him.

The recent incident at Arlington took place as Trump visited the graves of the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives during the Kabul airport bombing amid the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Reports indicate that a cemetery official was “pushed aside” by Trump’s aides while attempting to stop them from documenting the visit in Section 60, where military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried.

Following the visit, the Trump campaign shared footage on social media. The family of a decorated Green Beret buried nearby expressed their support for the families of those who died in Kabul but also emphasized the need for sensitivity regarding the presence of graves nearby.

While the Trump campaign declined to comment specifically on the allegations surrounding the cemetery official, they have disputed the claim that one of their staff members physically interacted with the official.

Jon Stoltz, a U.S. Army veteran and co-founder of VoteVets, criticized Trump for seemingly using a sacred site for political purposes. He stressed that such actions disrespected the memories of other veterans present.

This latest controversy follows closely after Trump faced backlash for his comments regarding the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest military distinction. While praising Miriam Adelson, a Republican donor whom he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, he remarked that she was “much better off” than being a Medal of Honor recipient, suggesting that such recipients often suffer severe injuries or death.

Earlier this year, former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley lashed out at Trump for questioning her husband’s National Guard deployment. Additionally, John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, alleged that Trump referred to Americans killed in World War I as “suckers” and “losers,” an accusation Trump has denied.

Despite the controversies, Trump has historically enjoyed solid support among veterans, a demographic that often favors Republican candidates. Approximately 60% of military veterans reported voting for Trump in the 2020 election. Similarly, over half of individuals from veteran households did so, and nearly 60% of veteran voters identified as Republicans during that election.

Polling from Pew Research indicates that this trend of support for Trump among veterans was also evident in the 2016 election. In the recent South Carolina Republican primary, about two-thirds of military veterans and members of veteran households preferred Trump over Haley.

Trump has framed his presidency as protective of service members by advocating for the end of prolonged foreign wars, like the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan. He has also claimed credit for legislative initiatives intended to aid veterans, including the Veterans Choice program, though the program was initially enacted during the Obama administration.

Neither Trump nor his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, have military service records. Trump received multiple deferments during the Vietnam War due to bone spurs in his feet.

Both major political parties have actively sought the support of veterans, establishing coalitions and aligning with organizations dedicated to veterans’ issues. Trump’s running mate, Vance, served four years in the Marine Corps, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is Harris’ running mate, completed 24 years in various capacities with the Army National Guard. However, Walz has faced scrutiny from Republicans over specifics related to his military retirement.

Despite the ongoing support from some veterans, Stoltz cautioned that Trump’s behavior could alienate a significant portion of the veteran community. He mentioned that while many veterans remain loyal to Trump, his comments and actions are often perceived as disrespectful to the military.

“People are starting to view Trump’s relationship with the military as one for his own advantage,” Stoltz remarked. VoteVets has actively campaigned for Harris and Walz, signifying a shift in some veterans’ allegiances.

Source: AP News