‘Shameful Behavior’: Bolton Rips Trump for ‘Turning’ Arlington Cemetery Visit Into a ‘Political Advertisement’

Former President Donald Trump’s one-time national security advisor, John Bolton pulled no punches on Thursday in ridiculing Trump for using a visit to Arlington National Cemetery as part of his 2024 presidential campaign.

CNN’s Phil Mattingly began the conversation, noting, “I want to be very clear about the president was invited at the request of family members from some of those who were killed, the 13 that were killed in the Abbey Gate, explosion in the very chaotic, withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has been close to these families. Many of them spoke at the convention. Not in a political way.”

“However, the fact that the Army ended up putting out a public statement today which said, quote, where, ‘The Trump team was made aware of federal laws and, quote, abruptly pushed an employee.’ They added, quote, ‘This incident was unfortunate. The RNC employee and her professionalism have been unfairly attacked.’ This doesn’t happen very often. I was actually quite surprised when I saw that the Army put it out, earlier. What’s your take about what’s happened this week?” Mattingly asked.

Bolton replied, “Well, I think it is unusual for the Army as such to say something. I wish it had been the chief of staff to the Army personally to say it, to show it was the uniform military that had this view. And to be clear, what Trump may have done at Arlington with the families, whatever he said to them, pictures that were taken. That’s not anything that’s wrong, what was wrong was what he did after they left the cemetery, by taking the films and so on and turning them into a political advertisement. That is what’s forbidden. And that’s what he did. And I think that’s why people are legitimately upset .”

Mattingly followed up, “ Trump’s campaign manager or co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita , he retweeted a video of Trump on Monday at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, which to be clear, he could take that video. There was nothing wrong with him taking that video. Was there taking video as well. But as he posted it or retweeted it, he said, I hope to trigger the hacks at Secretary of Army.”

“Now, to be clear, Chris is a marine veteran. He’s also a Purple Heart recipient. I have tremendous respect for his service, but they’re aggressively attacking on this issue. And I guess I don’t really understand why,” Mattingly pressed.

Bolton replied, “Well, obviously they think it will help them, but but it simply proves the point. They’re using the whole thing for political purposes. That’s expressly what Congress was trying to prevent. And, and in the regulations that make it clear that that’s not what Arlington National Cemetery is for, I can’t predict what the political outcome will be, but it’s I just think it’s shameful behavior.”

Watch the clip above via CNN.