Donald Trump has had a bit of a reversal of fortune in the attacks he has been taking from the media and the Harris campaign regarding his visit to Arlington National Cemetery to honor our 13 fallen from Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.
After Harris’ campaign and the media attacked Trump for the “photo op,” Gold Star families of the fallen defended the former president.
Talking Points…
- Trump visits Arlington to honor the fallen
- Gold Star families strike back
- Analysis
On the third anniversary of their deaths, Donald Trump accompanied the Gold Star families of our 13 fallen from the Afghanistan withdrawal to Arlington National Cemetery. There were reports that a staffer at the cemetery got into an altercation with some members of Trump’s communication team over photos and videos being taken.
As I have stated in previous reports, I do not necessarily agree that photos should be taken on these grounds out of respect for our fallen. However, I also stated that just about every political figure who visits Arlington National Cemetery has pictures and videos taken, so this really was much ado about nothing in terms of Trump doing something outrageous. For instance, Biden did multiple photo ops at Arlington during the 2020 campaign. This was outrage for the sake of outrage solely because it was Donald Trump.
Many of the pundits on cable news slammed Trump, and the Democrats pounced, which included Kamala Harris, who 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.”
She later added:
“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.”
Now, you must keep in mind that this criticism is coming from someone who initially refused to salute the military personnel working Air Force Two, nor did she attend the dignified transfer of our fallen from Afghanistan when they were returned to the United States for burial. Her criticism of Donald Trump did not sit well with the parents of the fallen. Mark Schmitz, the father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, responded to her comments…
Mark Schmitz, Father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/pRLF9tS7Jn
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
Steve Nikoui, the father of Lance Corporal Kareen M. Nikoui, also released a powerful video slamming Harris for her comments. Darin Hoover, the father of Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, also released a video responding to Harris. Christy Shamblin, Sergeant Nicole Gee's mother-in-law, also posted a video defending Donald Trump. Jim McCollum, the father of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, did the same.
The criticism by Harris and Biden against Trump clearly backfired. They want the people of this country to think they love our military members, but they do not. This is the administration that wanted to dishonorably discharge troops who did not want to take the vaccine, regardless of how long they have served or what role they were fulfilling in our military. Imagine being a special operator with multiple tours under your belt, nearly two decades of service of literally putting your life on the line hundreds of days every year, only to be kicked out of the service because you did not want to take a new vaccine… that is what Joe Biden did to them.
Trump was an invited guest by these families, and again, while I disagree with a thumbs-up photo and smiling faces being taken at the gravesites of our fallen, this was at the request of those families. Trump did nothing wrong, and the fact that Harris and Biden have avoided these families is far more disgraceful than anything Donald Trump is being accused of. I, for one, am glad the families spoke up to highlight the real issue. I think we can all agree that Harris and Biden ripping Trump over this completely backfired.
