OPINION:
Nothing infuriates Donald Trump’s opponents more than his refusal to go along with their attempts at twisting reality. Democrats masquerading as journalists over the weekend latched onto a newly contrived legend about the former president’s men engaging in fisticuffs at Arlington National Cemetery while Mr. Trump supposedly trampled on the memories of fallen heroes.
“Donald Trump’s team chose to film a video there, resulting in an altercation with cemetery staff,” Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on X. “Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.”
Nothing the vice president wrote is true. It was a tale cooked up by media allies to cover for a common weakness on the left: the perception that Democrats don’t care about the troops. President Biden demonstrates the attitude every time he looks at his watch during ceremonies meant to honor veterans.
Lack of concern had deadly consequences three years ago when the Biden-Harris administration cut and ran from Afghanistan without planning a proper retreat. The Americans’ exit left the Taliban with a trove of sophisticated U.S. weapons and equipment worth $7 billion.
The Biden-Harris administration gift package welcomed the terrorist regime with a cache of mortars, howitzers and 400,000 rifles. The Taliban air force expanded overnight with 100 new helicopters, drones and attack aircraft armed with 180,000 bombs.
Amid the chaos, a suicide bomber from the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan affiliate attacked Abbey Gate at Kabul International Airport, taking the lives of 13 U.S. service members. And it was the families of those who fell that day who invited Mr. Trump to grieve with them at Arlington.
They were reassured to know a former president cared enough to visit with them and share their grief. This wasn’t a political event; the families wanted the memory preserved.
That’s according to the Gold Star families, eight of whom recorded brief videos rebutting the “heinous, vile and disgusting post put out by Kamala Harris.” As Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, said, that “shows you how much she knows about the 13 families.”
Mr. Trump did what a leader is supposed to do. “President Trump and his team were respectful,” said Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of Sgt. Nicole Gee. “They listened to our stories and didn’t talk much at all. We welcomed them that day, and they were a comfort to our family.”
Steve Nikoui, father of Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, added: “Vice President Harris … at no time have you reached out to me to offer your condolences, to offer thanks for Kareem’s sacrifice and service. Not once have you honored him by saying his name.”
It is hard to imagine a more thorough refutation of the Democratic claims than the statement of Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, who explained: “We invited President Trump. We are the ones who asked for the video and the pictures to be taken. … There was also not an assault that we observed take place, or did we hear. I don’t know where this is coming from, but it is disgusting and gross.”
The Democrats’ complaint about Mr. Trump politicizing Arlington National Cemetery is actually a case of Democrats politicizing the issue. But since the Democrats brought it up, it’s a good opportunity to recall just what a disaster their policies have been for the military and for the nation.
Ms. Harris owes the Abbey Gate Gold Star families an apology.
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