US elections: Harris calls Trump’s appearance at Arlington political stunt

The original incident stemmed from Trump’s and Republicans’ continued criticism of President Joe Biden and now Harris for the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. At the invitation of some family members of service members killed during the withdrawal, Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honour of Sgt Nicole Gee, Staff Sgt Darin Hoover and Staff Sgt Ryan Knauss.

They were among 13 US service members and more than 100 Afghans who died in an Aug 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

Trump’s campaign was warned about not taking photographs before an altercation at the cemetery, according to defense officials. Officials have said since that an Arlington 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 it had permission to bring someone to take video.

Since Biden ended his reelection bid, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically highlighted the vice president’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on 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.

Harris on Saturday alluded to Trump’s history of picking fights with veterans and repeated allegations that he has called our fallen service members suckers’ and losers’ and disparaged Medal of Honour recipients.

This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself, Harris said. I will always honour the service and sacrifice of all of America’s fallen heroes…And I will never politicise them.

First Published: Sep 01 2024 | 7:56 AM IST