In a series of videos shared on Donald Trump's Truth Social platform on Saturday evening, Gold Star families of the fallen soldiers from the ill-fated Afghanistan withdrawal expressed their grievances against Vice President Kamala Harris.
This came in response to Harris's earlier post, in which she labeled Trump's visit to Arlington as a mere "political stunt."
According to The Post Millennial, these families had earlier in the week invited the former president to accompany them to Arlington to pay respects to Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, Sgt. Nicole Gee, and Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss. Harris's criticism of Trump's photo session with the families during this visit sparked a wave of emotional responses from the bereaved family members on Saturday evening, urging Harris to personally engage with them.
Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law to the late Sergeant Nicole Gee, questioned Harris in her video, "Why won't you return a call and explain to us how you call my daughter-in-law's death a 'success.'" She further challenged Harris, "Why will you not express your condolences yourself? ... And finally, why would you take a day, where we celebrated the death of our loved one, and use it to not only disparage them, but us?"
Herman Lopez, father of Corporal Hunter Lopez, took issue with Harris's earlier post on Saturday, in which she pledged to "always honor the service and sacrifice of all of Americas fallen heroes."
Jim McCollum, father of Lance Corporal Rylee McCollum, accused Harris of spreading "nothing but lies and deceit" in her recent comments about Trump's Arlington visit. He held Harris and President Biden accountable for the tragedy that unfolded during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz, echoed McCollum's sentiments, dismissing Harris's claim of caring for those serving the country as an "outright lie."
Jaclyn Schmitz, mother of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, criticized Harris's statement as a mere "political spin to help you look better in your presidential campaign against Donald Trump."
Steve Nikoui, father of Lance Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, delivered a poignant message to Harris: "Your administration killed my son." He accused the Biden-Harris administration of playing politics with peoples lives and expressed his disappointment at Harris's lack of outreach.
Coral Doolittle, mother of Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, also voiced her discontent with Harris's post. She urged Harris and Biden to meet with the Gold Star families, stating, I think that as a parent, we deserve an explanation, and we deserve the truth of what happened with our kids that day.
Darin Hoover, father of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, reminded Harris of her role in the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. He, along with other family members present at Arlington, refuted media reports of an altercation during the ceremony, emphasizing the solemnity of the occasion and the absence of political discourse.
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