Amid a solemn memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, Senator Tom Cotton vociferously criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their absence, which coincided with former President Donald Trump's visit.
The New York Post reported that this ceremony was meant to honor the third anniversary of U.S. servicemembers' deaths during the chaotic exit from Afghanistan but was marked by high-level political absences.
The commemorative ceremony, attended by Donald Trump, was organized by Gold Star families—those who have lost their loved ones in military service.
It was particularly poignant as it marked three years since the tragic events at Kabul International Airport, where 13 American servicemembers died due to a suicide bomb attack amidst the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Senator Cotton's criticism centered on the non-attendance of Biden and Harris, who he accused of neglecting their duties by not participating in such an important event. According to records, at the time of the ceremony, President Biden was at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, while Vice President Harris was in her mansion in Washington, D.C., a mere 10-minute drive from the cemetery.
In his statement, Cotton highlighted that both senior officials were invited by the families of the deceased, demonstrating the personal importance instances like these hold for bereaved relatives. He emphasized that their absence showed a disregard for the families’ and veterans' sacrifices.
Harris, in response to Trump's participation, decried it as a merely "political stunt," a comment that sparked further controversy and criticism from both the senator and the families involved.
Harris's statement was perceived as dismissing the sincerity and significance of Trump’s presence, which, according to attendees, was requested specifically by the families to honor their loved ones.
Instead of joining the remembrance, Harris's and Biden's non-participation became a central topic of contention. Senator Cotton specifically pointed out the geographical proximity of Harris’s residence to Arlington, underscoring the ease with which she could have attended the observance.
The emotional toll on Gold Star families, heightened by political implications, came to the forefront when family members issued a video and a joint statement.
In these communications, they expressed their indignation at Vice President Harris calling Trump’s attendance a political move, thereby ignoring the invitation extended to her as well.
"It is because of her and Joe Biden’s incompetence that those 13 Americans were killed in Afghanistan," Cotton declared vehemently on national television. This harsh assessment links the administration’s foreign policy decisions directly to the tragic deaths of American servicemembers, a sentiment echoed by many of the families.
The joint statement by the families further criticized the handling of Trump's visit by the current administration. They attested he was there strictly to honor their children's sacrifices and not for political gain. This collective voice of the families highlighted their disappointment and grief, feeling politicized by the very leaders elected to serve them.
Senator Cotton reiterated during a “Meet the Press” interview that Trump’s role in the ceremony was strictly non-political. "He didn’t take campaign photos there," said Cotton, refuting claims that Trump's presence was intended as a media stunt. Instead, it was framed as a gesture of respect towards those who paid the ultimate price for their country.
This issue brings to light the profound impact of political actions and statements on military families, who often rely on national leaders for solace and acknowledgment of their losses.
Trump’s presence, requested by the fallen servicemembers' families, stood in stark contrast to the top Democratic officials' absence, highlighting differing approaches to handling such sensitive occasions.
This event encapsulates ongoing national debates about the responsibilities and roles of elected officials in acknowledging military sacrifices.
The absence of President Biden and Vice President Harris at such a critical memorial sends a potentially divisive message about the administration’s priorities and sensitivities toward military families, further fueled by Cotton's vehement critiques.