Donald Trump lays wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery amid tussle over veteran support

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery Monday, the third anniversary of a terrorist attack amidst America's exit from Afghanistan.

The Aug. 26, 2021 attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport killed 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Trump's campaign bashed Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in a statement about the appearance, tying her to the chaotic retreat from Afghanistan.

"Kamala Harris failed our soldiers and their families. President Trump never will," the campaign said in a statement online about the anniversary. USA TODAY reached out to the Harris campaign for a response.

Arlington Cemetery appearance comes as Democrats move to take patriotic position

Trump's appearance at the Arlington National Cemetery comes days after military veterans took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to make the argument that Democrats are the patriotic way forward for the country.

Trump has been criticized by veterans after he questioned whether former Vietnam POW John McCain was a war hero, suggested the Presidential Medal of Freedom is better than the military Medal of Honor, and JD Vance accused Tim Walz , who served 24 years in the Army National Guard, of 'stolen valor.'

Trump's comments about the anniversary continues a larger pattern of tying Harris tightly to President Joe Biden' s legacy.

"This is the third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country. Gross Incompetence," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Kamala's and Biden's incompetence left 13 dead warriors, hundreds of civilians killed and grievously wounded."

Some families of American soldiers who were killed in the exit from Afghanistan criticized Biden at the Republican National Convention, saying he has not addressed them publicly.

Harris and Biden released statements about the anniversary and the fallen soldiers.

"These 13 devoted patriots represent the best of America, putting our beloved nation and their fellow Americans above themselves and deploying into danger to keep their fellow citizens safe," Harris' statement said , also praising Biden's decision to leave Afghanistan.

Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook, Dan Morrison, Phillip M. Bailey, Joey Garrison, David Jackson,

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump lays wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery amid tussle over veteran support