“The altercation at Arlington Cemetery is the media creating a story where I really don’t think there is one,” Vance said.
Vance defended the Trump campaign, asserting they had proper authorization to have a photographer at the cemetery. “There is verifiable evidence that the campaign was allowed to have a photographer there. They were invited to have a photographer there.”
He emphasized that families of the 13 service members who died at Abbey Gate during the Kabul evacuation wanted Trump’s presence as a show of support. “They wanted Donald Trump there, and thank God we have a president who stands with our veterans instead of one who runs away from them,” he added.
Despite Vance’s defense, he avoided addressing the specifics of the incident, particularly the prohibition on filming in Section 60 of the cemetery.
Progressive veterans’ group VoteVets responded sharply, labeling Vance as “a spineless, gutless fraud” and accusing him of betraying the solemnity of the graves. “Political activity is and was always illegal at Arlington,” VoteVets said. “Trump’s campaign got physical with cemetery staff who were upholding the law and protecting the solemnity of all the graves. Rather than stand up for them, JD Vance betrays them to make Trump happy. Pathetic.”
The Trump campaign has denied claims of a physical confrontation and has yet to release footage that could corroborate their side of the story. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung claimed a private photographer was allowed on-site and blamed an unnamed individual for blocking Trump’s team.
Vance also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her “disgraceful” for her role in the US military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. He further attacked Harris for her response to Trump’s visit, saying, “She can go to hell.”
