President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were not invited by Gold Star families to Arlington National Cemetery last week to mark the third anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan, as confirmed by a White House official and a Harris aide, in contrast to claims made by GOP Sen. Tom Cotton and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Their comments were in response to former President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he faced criticism for taking photos with Gold Star families in an area of the cemetery where taking photos is typically prohibited.
Trump’s Visit and Responses
Last week, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that Trump’s visit was at the invitation of the families and emphasized the importance of providing ongoing support to families of fallen soldiers and those who were injured during the long tenure of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
During the visit, a member of Trump’s campaign staff was accused by the Army of disregarding cemetery rules by pushing aside a staff member who was enforcing restrictions on photography.
Criticism from Cotton and Gabbard
Senator Cotton and former Rep. Gabbard insinuated that Biden and Harris were expected to be present at the event as well, based on claims from Gold Star family members. However, the details surrounding this invitation remain unclear.
In response, Trump defended his actions at the cemetery, stating that he was asked by a Gold Star family to take photos at a loved one’s grave and did not initiate the request himself.
Trump’s Defense and Rally Comments
Trump continued to defend his actions in subsequent appearances, including at a rally where he criticized Biden for the deaths of U.S. service members in Afghanistan and dismissed allegations that he used the gravesite photos for publicity purposes.
He also took to social media to share videos of Gold Star family members expressing their support for his visit and condemning Harris and Biden for their absence.
Response from Gold Star Families
Members of the Gold Star families released a statement reaffirming their invitation to Trump and expressing their disappointment at Harris’ attempt to politicize the visit. They emphasized that Trump’s presence was to honor the sacrifice of their children and criticized Harris for misrepresenting the nature of the visit as a political maneuver.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery highlights the complexities of commemorating fallen soldiers and the sensitivity surrounding their memory.
