Kamala Harris criticises Donald Trump for taking photos at Arlington National Cemetery, 'disrespecting sacred ground'

US Vice President Kamala Harris has accused former President Donald Trump of disrespecting sacred ground at Arlington National Cemetery by taking and distributing photos despite a federal prohibition on campaign activity at the site. According to reports, Trump's campaign aides created an altercation with a cemetery staffer and proceeded to take photographs and film the former president at the graves of Afghanistan war veterans after being warned about the rules.

"Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt," Harris said. She emphasized that Arlington is a "solemn place where we come together to honour American heroes ... not a place for politics."

The incident has its roots in the ongoing criticism from Trump and Republicans directed at President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris regarding 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 honor 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 lost their lives in an Aug 26, 2021, bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.


Defense officials warned Trump's campaign about not taking photographs before an altercation broke out at the cemetery. Officials have stated that an Arlington employee, who was allegedly "verbally abused and pushed" aside by two Trump campaign staff members, has declined to press charges. The Trump campaign has retaliated by criticizing Pentagon officials, with top campaign adviser Chris LaCivita referring to military spokespersons as "hacks." Trump campaign officials maintain that they had permission to bring someone to take video footage.

Since President Biden launched his reelection bid, Trump has been focusing his attacks on Harris and her roles in foreign policy decisions. He has specifically brought attention to Harris's statements that she was the last person in the room before Biden made the decision on Afghanistan.

The Biden administration was adhering to a withdrawal commitment and timeline negotiated with the Taliban by the Trump administration in 2020. A 2022 review by a government-appointed special investigator concluded that decisions made by both Trump and Biden were key factors leading to the rapid collapse of Afghanistan's military and the Taliban takeover.

On Saturday, Harris also referenced Trump's past conflicts with veterans and repeated allegations that he has disparaged fallen service members and Medal of Honour recipients.

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

The incident and subsequent statements underscore the deep political divide over military and veterans' issues, as well as the broader partisan tensions that continue to shape the American political landscape.

(Inputs from Agencies)