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USA TODAY
Donald Trump lays wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery amid tussle over veteran support
By Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY,
9 hours ago
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - AUGUST 26: Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump lays a wreath alongside Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart (Ret.), who was injured at the Abbey Gate Bombing, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia. Monday marks three years since the August 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport, which killed 13 American service members. Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images
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 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,
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