Gold Star military families have defended Donald Trump, saying they invited him to Arlington National Cemetery and insist it's Kamala Harris who has politicised fallen US service members.
It's the latest volley in an extended back and forth as the Trump Republican campaign condemns the Harris with the Biden administration's handling of the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, including a suicide bombing that killed 13 US service members.
Vice President Harris on Saturday accused Trump of staging a “political stunt” that “disrespected sacred ground" where many Afghanistan war dead are buried.
Trump and the families of some of those killed in the bombing blame Harris, as they did President Joe Biden before he ended his re-election bid, for their loved ones' deaths. The families say the former president was honouring their loved ones when he came to Arlington.
His campaign later distributed images of the visit despite the cemetery's prohibition on partisan activity on the grounds.
“President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children's deaths,” said the relatives' joint statement.
“He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”
Gold Star families have lost a loved one in military service.
Trump laid wreaths last Monday in honour of Sergeant Nicole Gee, Staff Sergeant Darin Hoover and Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss.
They were among 13 US service members and more than 100 Afghans who died in an August 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport as US forces withdrew from Afghanistan.
Trump thanked the family members for their statement via social media.
“Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you ... and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine,” he wrote.
Throughout the weekend, Trump has used his social media accounts to distribute video testimonials from some relatives who signed the statement.
Christy Shamblin, Gee's mother-in-law, said in a 90-second message that Trump and his aides were “respectful” and a “a comfort” to the families who gathered at Arlington. Then she directly addressed her remarks to Harris.
“Why won't you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-law's death a success?” Shamblin said.
“Why would you take a day where we celebrated the deaths of our loved ones and use it to disparage not only them, but us.”
Shamblin was among the several family members who also spoke at the Republican National Convention in July on Trump's behalf.
Several family members have joined Trump's running mate, Senator JD Vance on a conference call with media.
Trump's appearance became controversial after defence officials said his campaign was warned about not taking photographs and there was an altercation between Trump aides and a cemetery employee.
Officials have said since that an 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 the campaign had permission to bring someone to take video.
Since Biden ended his re-election bid in July, Trump has been zeroing in on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has highlighted on X the vice president’s statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision to withdraw from 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.
