Former President Donald Trump’s campaign on Saturday shared statements from the Gold Star military families whose family members were killed during the Kabul suicide bombing during the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The Gold Star families defended the former president against attacks for Harris, who accused him of laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery for a “political stunt,” even though he was invited by the families.
On Monday, the former president traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to pay his respects to the 13 U.S. troops who were killed in the Abbey Gate suicide bombing in 2021. The attack occurred during the chaotic retreat from Afghanistan, which took place as the Taliban overran the country just weeks after U.S. troops left the country.
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While Trump was invited to Arlington by Gold Star families, Democrats have accused the former president of staging a “political stunt.” Vice President Harris — who has previously bragged that she was the “last person in the room” during the withdrawal effort — accused her Republican rival of “disrespecting sacred ground” by paying tribute to fallen soldiers.
In the lengthy post, Harris falsely accused the president of getting into an “altercation” with cemetery staff, an accusation that has been thoroughly debunked. “Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt,” she wrote.
The vice president was not done with hoaxes, as she then repeated the thoroughly debunked “suckers and losers” hoax. “This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself,” Harris wrote.
As Vice President, I have had the privilege of visiting Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation.
It is not a place for politics.
And…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 31, 2024
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On Saturday, several Gold Star families released statements in defense of the former president.
“President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s deaths,” said the families in a joint statement. “He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”
In one statement, the mother-in-law of Sgt. Nicole Gee, who was among the 13 soldiers who were killed in the Kabul bombing, said that Trump was “respectful” and “provided comfort” to the families during the memorial ceremony.
“Why won’t you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-law’s death a success?” said Christy Shamblin. “Why would you take a day where we celebrated the deaths of our loved ones and use it to disparage not only them, but us.”
The families have further revealed that both President Biden and Vice President Harris were invited to the ceremony, though they opted not to attend.
Steve Nikoui, Father of Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/e7uRJo8ViA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
Jaclyn Schmitz, Mother of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/MeACvB310r
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
Christy Shamblin, Mother-In-Law of Sergeant Nicole Gee… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/aAtRHE454N
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
Herman Lopez, Father of Corporal Hunter Lopez… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/4S7Yb1kZeO
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
Darin Hoover, Father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/ANQaSfjcUs
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
Coral Doolittle, Mother of Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez… https://t.co/CHNRzcTa0J pic.twitter.com/dz3UfvhVLB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2024
