Kamala Harris criticises Donald Trump for ‘political stunt’ at cemetery as former president hits back with videos
Kamala Harris has accused Donald Trump of thinking only of “service to himself” after the former president’s campaign filmed at a military cemetery.
Mr Trump has already hit back with videos from relatives of fallen soldiers he honoured in a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday, the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
The row began when he visited Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, which is considered hallowed ground and where political activities are forbidden by law.
But Mr Trump’s campaign posted a TikTok video with footage from the cemetery, drawing criticism from some veterans and soldiers’ relatives.
“Let me be clear: the former president disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt,” Ms Harris wrote in a lengthy post on X.
“This is a man who is unable to comprehend anything other than service to himself.”
A cemetery employee was also pushed aside at Section 60 during an altercation with Mr Trump’s staff, with the US Army defending her as professional and unfairly attacked.
A statement said the employee at the Virginia cemetery was trying to make sure those participating in the ceremony were following the rules.
Mr Trump launched a concerted pushback on social media on Saturday night with videos of relatives of at least seven of the 13 killed in the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Many of them addressed Ms Harris directly, insisting they invited Mr Trump and disputed her stated support for military families.
“Let me be clear, there was no politics discussed, none whatsoever,” said Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sergeant Taylor Hoover.
“Trump has been there for us from the very beginning.”
“Our kids were murdered because of your administration,” said Jaclyn Schmitz, the mother of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz.
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Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of Sergeant Nicole Gee, said: “Vice President Harris, why will you not express your condolences yourself?
“Why have we never heard from you?”
Mr Trump defended himself during a speech in Pennsylvania on Friday, saying the families had asked him to go to the cemetery.
“I got there and we had a ceremony,” he said.
The families asked if he could come to the graves, he added, and then they sought a photo.
“I said, ‘absolutely’, so I was taking pictures at the grave.”
The United States and European Union have agreed a trade deal, says Donald Trump.
The announcement was made as the US president met European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen at one of his golf resorts in Scotland.
Speaking after talks in Turnberry, Mr Trump said the EU deal was the “biggest deal ever made” and it will be “great for cars”.
The US will impose 15% tariffs on EU goods into America, after Mr Trump had threatened a 30% levy.
He said there will be an EU investment of $600bn in the US, the bloc will buy $750bn in US energy and will also purchase US military equipment.
Mr Trump had earlier said the main sticking point was “fairness”, citing barriers to US exports of cars and agriculture.
He went into the talks demanding fairer trade with the 27-member EU and threatening steep tariffs to achieve that, while insisting the US will not go below 15% import taxes.
For months, Mr Trump has threatened most of the world with large tariffs in the hope of shrinking major US trade deficits with many key trading partners, including the EU.
Ms von der Leyen said the agreement would include 15% tariffs across the board, saying it would help rebalance trade between the two large trading partners.
In case there was no deal and the US had imposed 30% tariffs from 1 August, the EU has prepared counter-tariffs on €93bn (£81bn) of US goods.
Ahead of their meeting on Sunday, Ms von der Leyen described Mr Trump as a “tough negotiator and dealmaker”.
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At least 11 people have been stabbed at a Walmart supermarket in Michigan, with six in a critical condition.
Officials say a suspect is in custody – and at this stage, it is believed the attack was a “random act” that involved a folding-style knife near the checkout area.
Sheriff Michael Shea told reporters: “Eleven is 11 too many, but thank God it wasn’t more.”
Pic: AP
The suspect, who is from Michigan, is not known to police – and was captured within three minutes thanks to “citizen involvement”.
The attack unfolded in Traverse City – and Tiffany DeFell, who was in the car park at the time, described scenes of chaos.
“It was really scary. Me and my sister were just freaking out,” she said. “This is something you see out of the movies.”
Beyond the six people in a critical condition, it is believed the remaining five were seriously hurt. All 11 are still being treated in hospital.
Pic: AP
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and the community reeling from this brutal act of violence.”
A Walmart spokesperson added that the retailer is working closely with law enforcement.
“Violence like this is unacceptable. Our thoughts are with those who were injured and we’re thankful for the swift action of first responders,” a statement said.
Pic: AP
At this stage, the ages of the victims is unclear – but it is not thought any of the victims were Walmart employees.
Traverse City is about 255 miles northwest of Detroit.
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