The gloves are off!
In a recent exchange, Republican vice presidential nominee Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio) sharply responded to Vice President Kamala Harris’s criticism of former President Donald Trump’s attendance at a memorial ceremony for the 13 U.S. servicemembers who tragically died during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
The controversy began after reports surfaced that Trump’s campaign had a disagreement with an Arlington National Cemetery official. The staff member reportedly attempted to prevent Trump’s team from filming and photographing in Section 60, where fallen military heroes from Afghanistan and Iraq are buried.
Harris’s spokesperson, Michael Tyler, labeled the incident as “sad” and “not surprising” during a CNN interview. Vance, visibly annoyed by this reaction, retorted that if Harris’s team wanted to use the situation to attack Trump, she could “go to hell.”
He further criticized Harris for her perceived negligence regarding the deaths of the 13 American servicemembers, suggesting that her failure to address the withdrawal’s aftermath is more pressing. “Veterans are deeply concerned that Kamala Harris has yet to take any action or initiate an investigation into the events that led to the deaths of these brave individuals,” Vance stated. “Instead of focusing on her failures, she’s attacking Trump for showing respect to our fallen heroes.”
Vance also accused the media of inflating the incident. He argued that the dispute at Arlington was exaggerated and that the Gold Star families who invited Trump were not insulted. “The media has blown this out of proportion to create a sensational story,” Vance claimed. “The families wanted Trump there, and the incident was misrepresented.”
Reports from NPR had indicated that Trump’s campaign staff allegedly pushed aside a cemetery official who was enforcing rules against political activities. However, the Trump campaign denied these claims, asserting that any confrontation was related to a “mental health episode” and denying any physical altercations.
Darin Hoover, a Gold Star family member and father of Marine Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover, defended Trump, stating that the former president was invited by the families themselves and not by any improper means. Hoover refuted claims of any physical altercation and criticized the current administration for its perceived lack of support for veterans.
At a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, Vance’s military background and his commitment to veteran issues were emphasized as strengths of his candidacy. Local supporters, including Gene Seip and Chris Knight, highlighted Vance’s appeal to military voters and his dedication to addressing issues affecting service members.
In summary, Vance’s reaction to Harris’s critique and his defense of Trump’s presence at the Arlington ceremony underline his commitment to veterans and his criticism of the current administration’s handling of military matters.
