Vice President Harris claimed former President Trump “disrespected sacred ground” during his recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery, which resulted in an altercation among staff.
In a lengthy post online, Harris said she’s had the privilege of visiting the cemetery, located just outside of Washington, D.C., several times.
“It is a solemn place; a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of this nation,” Harris said. “It is not a place for politics.”
“And yet, as was reported this week, Donald Trump’s team chose to film a video there, resulting in an altercation with cemetery staff. Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt,” she continued.
Harris was referencing Trump’s visit on Monday to Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 active duty, retired and former military members have been buried.
The former president attended a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the U.S. withdrawing troops from Afghanistan and the Kabul airport attack that killed 13 U.S. service members.
There was a confrontation between Trump’s staff and cemetery employees when the former president’s photographers and campaign team tried to enter Section 60, which is a restricted area. Trump’s team allegedly shoved a cemetery official to the side and the Army defended the employee this week.
Trump has received criticism over the altercation, since the cemetery has rules about politicizing and filming for political purposes.
Harris said the incident is “nothing new” from the man to “called our fallen service members ‘suckers’ and ‘losers’ and disparaged Medal of Honor recipients.” She said Trump is unable to comprehend anything other than “service to himself.”
Other Democrats see the altercation as an opening to attack Trump over his record with service members. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) asked the Army in a letter Friday for a full report and briefing on what happened.
“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 said.
Trump has defended what happened at the cemetery, saying he wasn’t trying to get publicity for going to the ceremony. He claimed the White House “put out” the accusation and criticized President Biden for the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Harris’s post said she believes Trump should not “stand behind the seal” of president of the United States. She said she will “always honor” the sacrifice and service of U.S. military members.
“I mourn them and salute them. And I will never politicize them,” she said.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
