Associated Press
Donald Trump’s campaign issued a statement Sunday from the Gold Star military families who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery as they defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate politicizing fallen U.S. service members.
It’s the latest volley in an extended back and forth as Trump tries to saddle Harris with the Joe Biden administration’s handling of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, including a suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members.
Harris on Saturday accused Trump of staging a “political stunt” that “disrespected sacred ground” where many Afghanistan war dead are buried. Trump and the families of some of those killed in the bombing blame Harris, as they did President Biden before he ended his re-election bid, for their loved ones’ deaths. The families say the former President was honoring their loved ones when he came to Arlington.
His campaign later distributed images of the visit despite the cemetery’s prohibition on partisan activity on the grounds.
“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 relatives’ joint statement. “He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”
Gold Star families have lost a loved one in military service.
Trump thanked the family members for their statement via social media. “Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you … and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine,” he wrote.
Throughout the weekend, Trump has used his social media accounts to distribute video testimonials from some relatives who signed the statement.
Christy Shamblin, Gee’s mother-in-law, said in a 90-second message that Trump and his aides were “respectful” and a “a comfort” to the families who gathered at Arlington. Then she directly addressed her remarks to Harris.
“Why won’t you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-law’s death a success?” Shamblin said. “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.”
Biden and First Lady Jill Biden went to Dover Air Force Base in 2021 for the ceremony returning the service members’ remains to U.S. soil. The Bidens met privately with family members at Dover. The Bidens were joined at the ceremony by several top aides in the administration, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, then-Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Shamblin was among the several family members who also spoke at the Republican National Convention in July on Trump’s behalf. Several family members have joined Trump’s running mate, U.S. Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, on a conference call with media.
Trump’s appearance ballooned into controversy after defense officials said his campaign was warned about not taking photographs and that there was an altercation between Trump aides and a cemetery employee. Officials have said since that an employee whom two Trump campaign staff members allegedly “verbally abused and pushed” aside has declined to press charges.
The Trump campaign has since lashed out at Pentagon officials, with a top campaign adviser, Chris LaCivita, referring to military spokespersons as “hacks.” Trump campaign officials say the campaign had permission to bring someone to take video.
Since Biden ended his reelection bid in July, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has highlighted the Vice President’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.
Biden’s administration was following a withdrawal commitment and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded decisions made by both Trump and Biden were the key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan’s military and the Taliban takeover.
Campaigning this year, Trump has said that leaving was the right thing to do but that the Biden administration’s execution was poor.
“We were going to do it with dignity and strength,” he said in a recent speech in Michigan.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
49 comments
Larry Gillis, Libertarian (Cape Coral)
September 1, 2024 at 4:45 pm
STOLEN VALOR AT ARLINGTON
This guy ((the one with alleged “bonespurs”) was AWOL when his Country called. “Losers and suckers” was how he pronounced the names of the Dead.
We took your measure a long time ago, Pal.
rick whitaker
September 1, 2024 at 6:36 pm
LARRY GILLIS, you eventually said something i agree with. you’re not becoming a progressive dem like me are you?
Yrral
September 2, 2024 at 6:06 am
Trump confess to election interference Google Trump Election Interference Confession
April
September 2, 2024 at 2:24 am
Bullsh*t. Trump never said that, but nice try. Get help for your TDS.
JD
September 2, 2024 at 6:20 am
Ah, yes, the classic “Trump could never” routine. Love it. But let’s be real—just because the truth stings doesn’t mean it’s a lie. Multiple reliable sources reported the “suckers and losers” comments, but I get it—denial is a warm, cozy blanket. If labeling everything you don’t like as “TDS” helps you cope, go ahead and snuggle up. Facts, however, aren’t going anywhere.
rick whitaker
September 2, 2024 at 7:55 am
APRIL, how do you know what trump said or didn’t say? i’m waiting on your non-answer.
Biscuit
September 2, 2024 at 3:14 pm
April, it’s spelled bullshit. As in, Trump is Bullshit Personified.
He long ago embraced the old saw, “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.”
Arf.
MarvinM
September 2, 2024 at 7:21 pm
April, yes he did. I heard him say it on an interview with Mark Levin. We can’t post links here without our comments going into a black hole, or wherever it is our socks go from the dryer, but the following is quoted from The Hill (not a left wing site by any stretch of the imagination):
“Former President Trump in an interview broadcast late Sunday argued he had ‘every right’ to interfere with the 2020 election while repeating his claim the criminal election interference cases against him are politically motivated.”
Face it April, the man is losing it. He flip-flopped like 3 times on abortion just last week. I can understand a person’s change of heart on an issue over time, involving a careful consideration of new information, but I can’t think that what Trump did – within one week – was anything less than pandering.
GOTV
YES on 3, YES on 4, the only amendments out of 6 that were put on the ballot by the will of the people of Florida via voter initiative.
Bill Pollard
September 1, 2024 at 6:24 pm
So now military spokespersons are called “hacks.” My father and uncle were World War II combat veterans. I’ve always respected our military. Why can’t you?
Michael K
September 1, 2024 at 7:27 pm
When John McCain’s campaign used brief footage of Arlington in a commercial, he immediately removed it and issued a public apology.
Donald Trump has zero respect for the armed forces, or anyone, for that matter. His hostile takeover of the Republican party is taking this nation down a dangerous path. His vice-president was not invited to the RNC – and neither was the only living past Republican president or any past presidential candidates.
He will do any disgraceful thing to throw red meat at his dwindling base, regardless of the consequences or harm. The man lacks basic human decency. And Chris LaCivita deserves a special place in hell for his attacks on the US military and those who have served.
nail
September 1, 2024 at 9:06 pm
trump and his crew had to make a spectacle of themselves. When asked by a reporter in his office what she thought happened: all he had to do was pay his respects but he can’t even do that right.”
I hope the gold star parents are happy that they destroyed their children memory by having this ass who makes a circus wherever he goes..
These parents agreed but then they are brainwashed idiots..Those kids are the only ones who are happy, they dod not have to witness their idiot parents standing with the guy who called them losers and sucker with smiles all over and thumbs up…
When you have white trash you get trash…Ib just hope these kids come back o haunt their so called parents
Who the hell would mock their own childs death with this ass hole..
Day 38
September 1, 2024 at 9:27 pm
My bet is those parents would rather Trump as CIC instead of that idiot Biden and that absolutely horrible Afghanistan withdrawal. Just imagine geographically challenged Ka Mana as CIC
JD
September 2, 2024 at 6:22 am
Ah yes, because nothing says “great CIC” like dodging drafts and calling fallen soldiers “losers.” As for Biden, he did what Trump negotiated: the Afghanistan withdrawal deal was signed on Trump’s watch. But hey, don’t let facts get in the way of your nostalgia. Geography isn’t the only thing you’re challenged on, apparently.
Day 38
September 2, 2024 at 7:11 am
This debacle withdrawal all took place while Biden was the CIC not Trump. Funny how you Demos never take responsibility for anything. Who closed Bagram? What’s it Trump or Biden? Dumb move to use a downtown airport surrounded by buildings where bad guys could take shots at our people, and they did.
JD
September 2, 2024 at 9:24 am
Funny how you conveniently forget that Trump set the whole withdrawal in motion. Again, he cut the troop levels, closed Bagram, and made the deal with the Taliban. Biden had to clean up the mess, but let’s not pretend the stage wasn’t set by Trump. Blame-shifting might be your game, but facts don’t lie.
Phil Morton
September 2, 2024 at 9:23 pm
You’re right, they said as much at the Republican National Convention. Carrying that sentiment to Arlington National Cemetery was disrespectful to the 400,000 brave warriors buried there.
PeterH
September 1, 2024 at 8:38 pm
History will only remember Trump’s “suckers and losers” reference to our fallen heroes.
Day 38
September 1, 2024 at 9:46 pm
Doubt it my so called indy voter. I’m laughing at u 🤣
JD
September 2, 2024 at 6:23 am
Glad you’re amused! History has a funny way of sticking to the facts, though. Whether you laugh or not, multiple credible reports exist about Trump’s “suckers and losers” comments. Denial’s a good chuckle, but facts tend to get the last laugh.
Day 38
September 1, 2024 at 8:59 pm
Does Kammy even know where Arlington is? Serious question.
JD
September 2, 2024 at 6:24 am
Pretty sure Kamala Harris knows where Arlington is—she’s been there multiple times to honor our fallen heroes. But hey, keep asking those “serious questions.” Again, it’s cute how you pretend geography is the issue here.
Yrral
September 2, 2024 at 7:43 am
It land confiscated from the your favorite Confederate general Robert E Lee Google Arlington Robert E Lee
rick whitaker
September 2, 2024 at 8:06 am
PEACHY THE MARK,, since you are an easy mark and easily conned, it makes sense that you have all these stupid thoughts in your head. snap out of it you fool. does everyone saying you’re wrong not mean anything to you?
TJC
September 2, 2024 at 3:42 pm
“Serious question.'” Hopefully that’s just more of your usual bullshit. Either that or you’re as dumb as you want her to be.
Joe
September 4, 2024 at 10:38 am
There has not been any recent presidential candidate less intelligent/educated than your dear leader DonOld, period.
He probably didn’t even know what state Arlington was in when he was actually there making a campaign video.
Michael K
September 1, 2024 at 10:08 pm
I hope folks remember that it was Trump who tried to invite the Taliban to Camp David over the Memorial Day weekend. Remember? Trump reduced troop levels from 14,000 to 2,500 when he “negotiated” the withdrawal – and set the withdrawal date. And it was Trump who released 5,000 Afghan prisoners before leaving office. He negotiated with the Taliban not the Afghan government.
Day 38
September 1, 2024 at 10:22 pm
I remember when Trump took office and he delivered a MOAB bomb into the mountains of Afghanistan right on top of those terrorist bastards. They got the message. Not a peep while he was President. They waited until
Dumb and dumber took over.
JD
September 2, 2024 at 6:25 am
Ah, the good old MOAB drop—Trump’s big moment of “leadership,” right? But let’s not forget that the same guy also tried to cozy up with the Taliban at Camp David, reduced troop levels drastically, set the withdrawal date, and released 5,000 Taliban prisoners. So yeah, they got the message: just wait for Trump to set the stage and then move in. But hey, keep clinging to that one bomb drop if it makes you feel better.
Day 38
September 2, 2024 at 7:13 am
That one big bomb was a defining moment. Now we have Houthi’s taking pot shots at us. Biden is an idiot and Kammy ain’t much better
rick whitaker
September 2, 2024 at 7:47 am
PEACHY THE EASY MARK, yopu think one bomb means that much, boy are you an idiot.
Day 38
September 2, 2024 at 8:16 am
It certainly worked now did it idiot. Back at you.😜
JD
September 2, 2024 at 9:25 am
One big bomb doesn’t make a strategy, but it’s cute that you think it was a “defining moment.” Meanwhile, Trump’s chaotic foreign policies set the stage for plenty of those pot shots you’re worried about. But sure, let’s blame Biden and Kamala for inheriting the mess. Simplifying complex issues must be nice.
Day 38
September 2, 2024 at 10:11 am
JD, No one respects old Joe and incompetent Kammy. Just look what has happened in the last 3.5 years
Russia invades Ukraine.
Hamas invades Israel.
Iran launches an attack on Israel.
Houthi rebels fire drones and missiles at USN ships.
Our foreign policy has been a disaster under Dumb and Dumber.
JD
September 2, 2024 at 3:44 pm
Interesting take, but let’s get the facts straight. Under Trump, the U.S. alienated key allies and cozied up to dictators, like praising North Korea’s Kim Jong-un and dismissing NATO as obsolete. The world didn’t suddenly become unstable in the last 3.5 years—it’s been building for a while. Countries like France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea respect Biden’s commitment to alliances and diplomacy. And let’s not forget: Russia was emboldened by Trump’s weak stance on NATO and Ukraine. The mess we’re seeing now didn’t just start under Biden—it was years in the making.
Yrral
September 2, 2024 at 7:39 am
They are still running Afghanistan,after the US spent trillion of dollars for a lost cause
My Take
September 2, 2024 at 5:41 am
“SUCKERS and LOSERS” should be title of one of the many books that will be written about Trump.
A book emphasizing his disrespect for our military
rick whitaker
September 2, 2024 at 7:50 am
MY TAKE, if the suckers and losers, i’m one, don”t vote for trump or any gop sycophants, how can they win. looks like the suckers and losers might get the last laugh.
bob the dog
September 2, 2024 at 7:32 am
trump seems to think we all have amnesia. In 16 he berated the parents of Gold Star casualty Captain Khan. We all need to remember trump is not just running for President, he is running to stay out of jail. He’s a coward. The bigger issue in this election cycle is the Leonard Leo attempted capture of Democracy. If Shady Vance gets in there, it will be game over.
Jojo
September 2, 2024 at 10:45 am
For all you trump apologists, did you forget he was president for four years and he should have known the rules dealing with Arlington and fallen soldiers?
But MAGAs lie with abandon, knowing that tomorrow’s news cycle will never correct the lie.
Witness Tom Cotton yesterday on Meet the Press- he denounced Biden and Kamala for not attending the service after they had been invited. Guess what? The invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.
Day 38
September 2, 2024 at 12:31 pm
That moderator yesterday said that Kammywas there to receive the 13 service members that lost their lives in that horribly planned and executed withdrawal. She wasn’t there..
Michael K
September 2, 2024 at 3:08 pm
Trump clocked more than 34,000 documented lies during his disastrous term. And now, he’s running scared, and all he has to fall back on are his vulgar, racist, sexist, xenophobic, puerile insults.
Elmo
September 2, 2024 at 4:55 pm
MAGA families. None of them have any business politicizing that event. How dare they disrespect Arlington.
Jojo
September 3, 2024 at 7:02 am
It doesn’t matter what the Gold Star families wrote- everyone was told what the rules were when visiting Arlington and team Trump decided they didn’t have to abide by them.
And what kind of idiot poses grinning with a thumbs up standing amidst the gravestones of our fallen heroes?
My Take
September 3, 2024 at 5:55 pm
Remember how the GOPer MOABs (thermobarics) vaporized or buried Osama in the mountains?
Lots of GOPer blustering and bragging.
Until Obama caught him and killed him years later.
ELVIS IS BACK-"DECORUM TO THE FORUM"
September 4, 2024 at 6:53 am
Good Morn ‘Ting Sage Patriots & Dook 4 Brains Leftys.
I, ELVIS, made a grave error when I lifted my CHASTIZEMENTS as an effective control of Dook 4 Brains Leftys …. why just look how “Off The Chain” their comments above are. Yes the Dooks have sunk to disgusting new lows.
THEREFORE:
I am forced to reinstate the “CHASTIZEMENT OF LEFTYS PROCESS” as it works.
I, ELVIS, am sorry if any precious childern read the Dook’s comments above. And can promise everyone to “Return Decoram To The Forum”.
Thank you Sage Patriots & Dook 4 Brains Leftys,
rick whitaker
September 4, 2024 at 6:11 pm
EARL SHITTS, decorum is not a word i would associate with a crude perv like you.
American Mom
September 4, 2024 at 8:57 am
Thank you kind Sir for returning decoram to the forum. Moms Everywhere
Joe
September 4, 2024 at 10:45 am
idiot
Joe
September 4, 2024 at 10:31 am
Hey foxbrained “Gold Star families” — news flash: Trump is responsible for your sons’ deaths in Afghanistan! You desecrate their sacrifice by continuing to support him.
Comments are closed.