Gold Star families said they had become the “target of a great deal of hate” after Vice President Kamala Harris attacked former President Donald Trump and accused him of political tactics over his visit to Arlington National Cemetery to honor 13 soldiers killed in the Biden administration's failed Afghanistan withdrawal.
Hosted by Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle War Room Harris spoke with families of fallen military personnel on Tuesday following attacks on President Trump and his family. In a post over the weekend, Harris essentially suggested that these grieving families have allowed President Trump to use them as tools for his political ends.
As Vice President, I had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery several times. It is a solemn place, a place where we come together to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
It is not the place for politics.
and…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 31, 2024
They said that's absolutely not true.
Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of Staff Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, said she was “shocked” to see Harris' post, explaining that Biden and Harris had also been invited to Arlington that day.
“I was shocked to see her post. We invited them to Arlington that day and never heard back, just as we've tried to contact President Biden, Vice President Harris and the White House and never heard back,” she said.
“And now because she posted it on social media, we're the target of a lot of hate, which is shocking,” she added.
Steve Nikoy, father of Corporal Kareem M. Nikoy, said he was “shocked, as was Christie,” by Harris' comments, which he said were indicative of her accusation of playing politics.
“But as much as we claim to be doing politics, or that he is doing politics, it's actually her who is doing politics,” he said.
Jim McCollum, father of Lance Corpuras Riley J. McCollum, also told Boyle he was “disappointed” and a little “hurt” by Harris' comments.
“I'm used to the scabs coming off and feeling a little bit of pain, but this time it became personal and it was a beautiful moment to finally acknowledge my children, which hasn't happened for a long time and we've kept them away from politics,” he explained.
“We've never discussed it, but out of respect for my kids I've never involved them in politics. They've politicized it. For me it's become personal,” McCallum added.
