As the 2024 campaign heats up, Harris criticized Trump for disrespecting the military, but analysts warn it could backfire.
One of the first major pitfalls of Kamala Harris’ young campaign seemed to materialize over the holiday weekend, as her team traded barbs with the Trump camp over accusations of disrespecting the military.
Harris first accused Trump of staging a « political stunt » during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, intended to honor service members killed in the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
Reports later came out suggested that an official of the cemetery was « abruptly pushed aside » during an altercation with Trump’s staff over the rights to film at the cemetery. The Trump campaign pushed back against that allegation, and said it was invited by families of the fallen soldiers to attend the event.
« If there is one thing on which we as Americans can all agree, it is that our veterans, military families, and service members should be honored, never disparaged, and treated with nothing less than our highest respect and gratitude », Harris said shortly after the initial report came out.
Trump « disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt », she added.
Analysts who spoke to Newsweek said Harris’ attack line could backfire and reignite criticism of the administration’s handling of military matters it might rather not relitigate, particularly the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan three years ago.
After Harris lodged her criticism, Trump’s campaign released a statement from many of the Gold Star families who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery for what became the photo-op in question. They defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Harris was the one politicizing the memory of their fallen loved ones, even cutting an ad for the Trump campaign slamming Harris that circulated widely online over the holiday weekend.
« President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s deaths », said the families in a joint statement.
