Atlanta. The campaign team of former US President Donald Trump has released a statement from relatives of killed soldiers following allegations about his behavior at the National Cemetery in Arlington. In it, the relatives explained that they had invited the Republican presidential candidate to take part in the ceremonies marking the third anniversary of their children’s deaths. The Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is exploiting the deaths of US soldiers for political purposes.
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“He (Trump) was there to honor their sacrifice, but Vice President Harris shamefully turned this sacred moment into a political stunt,” the families wrote. Trump thanked the family members on social media for their statement. “Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you,” he wrote. The photos were also taken at the request of the relatives.
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Harris accused Trump on Saturday of violating customs for political reasons with his appearance in Arlington. Trump’s campaign team had published pictures of his visit there, even though the cemetery administration prohibits partisan political activities on the grounds.
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Trump laid wreaths on Monday in honor of three slain soldiers. They were among 13 U.S. soldiers and more than 100 Afghans killed in a bombing at Kabul International Airport on August 26, 2021, while U.S. troops were withdrawing from Afghanistan.
Trump shared video footage of relatives joining the statement on his social media accounts over the weekend. In one of these messages, the mother-in-law of a slain soldier said Trump and his staff had been respectful and a comfort to the families gathered in Arlington. Addressing Harris, she asked: “Why don’t you call back and explain why you call my daughter-in-law’s death a success?”
Trump’s appearance sparked controversy because Defense Department officials said his team had been warned not to take photos. There was also an altercation between Trump staff and a cemetery worker. One employee, who was verbally abused and pushed aside by two Trump team members, did not want to press charges. The Trump campaign team, however, said it had obtained permission to take photos.
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