Former President Donald Trump Posted a series of videos to X Parents of Gold Star veterans whose children were killed during the tragic Afghanistan withdrawal have blasted Vice President Kamala Harris, saying she is “responsible for the deaths of 13 children.”
Prior to this, Harris had harshly criticized President Trump on social media, saying that he had engaged in a “political stunt” and “insulted sacred ground” during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the 13 U.S. soldiers killed in an ISIS suicide bombing at Kabul airport on August 26, 2021.
The Trump campaign brought photographers to the event last week, which reportedly led to clashes with cemetery officials.
Families of service members killed in combat hit back at Harris' comments, blaming her for the failure to withdraw from Afghanistan and slamming her for a lack of support.
“Your recent statements regarding President Trump's recent visit to Arlington are nothing but lies and deception,” Jim McCollum, father of U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Riley J. McCollum, said in one of eight videos of Gold Star families that Trump posted to X late Saturday.
“How can I sleep at night knowing I am responsible for the deaths of our 13 children?” the grieving father asked.
The controversial incident happened in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where three of the 13 servicemen are buried. Photography is not prohibited at the cemetery, but federal law prohibits campaigning there.
The US military claimed that personnel trying to prevent photographers from entering the cemetery were “suddenly pushed away”.
The family members denied that any assault took place and claimed they had asked for photographs and video to be taken.
“We invited President Trump. We asked him to take videos and photographs,” said Darin Huber, father of Staff Sergeant Taylor Huber.
“I have never seen or heard of any assaults taking place. I don't know where this is coming from, but it's very disgusting and horrible,” the Gold Star father added.
“Our sons and daughters made the best of a difficult situation, adapted and overcame it all, just as they were trained to do, and emerged as heroes.”
Huber also accused Harris of lacking “empathy” and “basic understanding.”
The families denied that the event was political and blamed Harris and the Biden administration for refusing to reach out to them.
“President Trump and his team were polite, listened to us and said very little,” said Christy Shamblin, Sergeant Nicole Gee's mother-in-law.
“Vice President Harris, I ask you, why won't you return my call and explain to me why you are calling the death of my daughter-in-law a success?” she continued.
“For three years and eight months you have not acknowledged our children, you have not acknowledged me, you don't know me, you've never spoken to me,” McCallum said.
“We have 13 families who have been waiting over three years to get a call … you've spat in our faces so many times at the end,” said Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporator Jared M. Schmitz.
“Your administration killed my son,” said Steve Nikoui, father of Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui. “You did not attend his dignified transfer at Dover…. Not once did you call my son by name and show him respect.”
“It has been three years since my son was killed in action and I, my family, or any other Gold Star family has received no support from you or your administration,” Herman Lopez, father of Corporal Hunter Lopez, said in a video directed at Harris.
Republican vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance said at a campaign rally on Wednesday that Harris “should go to hell” for criticizing President Trump over his Arlington visit.
“What veterans care about more is that three years ago, 13 brave and innocent Americans died because Kamala Harris refused to serve and was never investigated or fired,” Vance said.
