Former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her absence at the anniversary ceremony commemorating the 13 service members who lost their lives during the flawed withdrawal from Afghanistan, which took place on Sunday on CNN.
On the following day, former President Donald Trump and his team paid a visit to Arlington Cemetery, where they honored the 13 Gold Star families. However, they faced media criticism regarding their coverage of the event. During her appearance on “State of the Union,” Gabbard mentioned that Trump’s team had engaged in discussions with Arlington officials, who granted them permission to “bring a camera” to record the ceremony.
“I checked with the campaign on this question and they have exchanges with the officials at Arlington Cemetery. They were approved to bring a camera there to document this historic and momentous day that should not be forgotten by any American,” Gabbard said.
The former Democratic representative also pointed out that certain family members present at the ceremony had “invited” Trump, while emphasizing that Harris “has not made any effort” to offer consolation to the families.
“I know President Trump wanted to share that with others, especially given the fact that President Biden [and] Harris, I heard, were invited by some of these family members. They not only didn‘t come, they didn‘t even respond to that invitation,” Gabbard continued. “Now to have Kamala Harris put this statement out yesterday saying that she stands with these families, she stands with the military and with veterans — you only have to look at the response that came from the Gold-Star families of these 13 service members of how offended they were by that statement.”
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