Kamala Harris criticises Donald Trump for ‘political stunt’ at cemetery as former president hits back with videos

Kamala Harris has accused Donald Trump of thinking only of “service to himself” after the former president’s campaign filmed at a military cemetery.

Mr Trump has already responded with recordings from family of deceased servicemen, whom he remembered in a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday, the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

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The dispute began when he visited Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, which is considered sacred land and where political activities are prohibited by law.

However, Mr Trump’s campaign uploaded a TikTok video with graveyard imagery, which drew condemnation from several veterans and their families.

“Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt,” Ms Harris said in a lengthy post on X.

“This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself.”

As Vice President, I have had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery multiple times. It is a solemn site, where we gather to remember American heroes who have sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

A cemetery employee was also shoved aside at Section 60 during a confrontation with Mr Trump’s crew, but the US Army defended her as professional and unfairly mistreated.

According to a statement, the staff at the Virginia cemetery was trying to ensure that everyone taking part in the service followed the guidelines.

On Saturday night, Mr Trump started a vigorous social media backlash, posting recordings of relatives of at least seven of the 13 people killed in the US departure from Afghanistan.

Many of them challenged Ms Harris directly, stating they had welcomed Mr Trump and disputing her declared sympathy for military families.

“Let me be clear, no politics were discussed at all,” stated Darin Hoover, Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover’s father.

“Trump has been there for us from the very beginning.”

“Our kids were murdered because of your administration,” stated Jaclyn Schmitz, Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz’s mother.