Former President Donald Trump posted a series of videos on X from Gold Star parents whose children were killed during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal — in which they blasted Vice President Kamala Harris for being “responsible for the deaths of our 13 kids.”
Earlier on Saturday, Harris ripped Trump on the social media site, saying he “disrespected sacred ground,” by staging a “political stunt” at a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery honoring the 13 US service members killed in an ISIS-K suicide bombing at Kabul Airport on August 26, 2021.
Trump’s campaign brought photographers to the event last week, which allegedly led to a physical altercation with a cemetery staffer.
Family members of the service men and women killed in action shot back at Harris’ comments, blaming the VP for the botched Afghanistan withdrawal and blasting her for her lack of support.
“Your recent remarks related to Trump’s recent visit to Arlington are filled with nothing but lies and deceit,” said Jim McCollum, father of US Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee J McCollum, in one of the eight Gold Star family videos posted to X by Trump late Saturday.
“How do you sleep at night knowing… you are responsible for the death of our 13 kids?” the grieving father asked.
The controversial incident occurred at Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery where three of the 13 service members are buried. While it is not prohibited to take pictures at the cemetery, federal law does prohibit campaign activities from taking place.
The US Army claimed a cemetery staffer who was trying to prevent the photographers from entering the grounds was “abruptly pushed aside.”
The families denied the assault took place, and claimed that they had requested that photos and video be taken.
“We invited President Trump, we are the ones who asked for the video and the pictures to be taken,” said Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover.
“There was also not an assault that we observed take place, or did we hear it. I don’t know where this is coming from but it’s disgusting and gross,” the Gold Star dad added.
“Our sons and daughters made the best of a difficult situation, as they had been trained to do, they adapted and overcame all of that and came out as heroes.”
Hoover also accused Harris of lacking “empathy” and “basic understanding.”
The families denied that the event was political and blasted Harris and the Biden administration for their refusal to reach out to them.
“President Trump and his team were respectful, they listened to our stories and didn’t talk much at all,” said Christy Shamblin mother-in-law of Sergeant Nicole Gee.
“Vice President Harris, I ask you, why won’t you return a call and explain to us how you call my daughter-in-law’s death a success?” she went on to say.
“You have failed for three years and eight months to acknowledge our kids, to acknowledge me, you don’t know me, you’ve never spoken to me,” McCollum said.
“You have thirteen families who’ve been waiting over three years to so much as get a phone call… you’ve spit in our face for the last f–king time,” said Mark Schmitz, Father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz
“Your administration killed my son,” said Steve Nikoui, Father of Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, “you were not at Dover for the dignified transfer… not once have you honored him by saying his name.”
“It’s been three years since my son was killed in action and myself, my family and other Gold Star families have not seen any support from you or your administration,” said Herman Lopez, Father of Corporal Hunter Lopez in a video directed at Harris.
Republican Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance said Harris can “go to hell” for criticizing Trump over the Arlington visit at a campaign rally Wednesday.
“The other thing that our veterans care more about is that three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died. And they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job and there hasn’t been a single investigation or a single firing,” Vance said.
