Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned former President Donald Trump over a recent incident at Arlington National Cemetery, accusing him of using a sacred site for political gain. The controversy erupted after Trump's campaign staff allegedly violated cemetery rules during a memorial event, sparking criticism from Harris and other political figures.
In a social media post on Saturday, Harris expressed her disapproval of Trump's actions, stating that the former president had "disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt". Harris, the Democratic nominee for president in the 2024 election, emphasized that Arlington National Cemetery, a hallowed resting place for the nation's military heroes, should never be used for political purposes.
"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", Harris wrote. She further argued that anyone unable to meet this "simple, sacred duty" should not be entrusted with the office of the President.
The controversy stems from an incident on Monday when Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to honor the 13 US military service members who were killed during the embarassing withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago. According to the US Army, a Trump campaign staffer "abruptly pushed aside" a cemetery employee who was attempting to inform the team about rules against filming at the site.
The Trump campaign, however, disputes the Army's account, claiming that the staff had permission from the families of the fallen soldiers to film and denied any physical altercation took place. Trump himself addressed the issue during a rally in Michigan on Thursday, defending his actions by saying he was asked to pose for a photo by the families after the memorial and had no need for additional publicity.
The incident has sparked a wider political debate, with Trump’s running mate, Senator J.D. Vance, using the controversy to criticize the Biden administration's handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. Vance, speaking to CBS News on Wednesday, directed harsh words at Harris, stating, "Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job. She can go to hell."
The US Army has acknowledged the incident, calling it "unfortunate" and defended the professionalism of the Arlington National Cemetery employee involved. House Democrats have since requested a full report from the Army on the incident, seeking a comprehensive account of what transpired.
Commenti
Posta un commento