Donald Trump began the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery with a heartfelt homage to fallen service members, emphasizing their bravery and sacrifice. As tradition demands, the president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The unity of the moment, however, was soon eclipsed by political overtones. Trump’s speech veered toward campaign-style rhetoric, featuring veiled criticisms of Joe Biden’s leadership and references to his own administration’s accomplishments.
Adding to the controversy were Trump’s earlier online posts, in which he launched aggressive critiques of his political rivals. Many critics argue that these actions undermined the solemn purpose of Memorial Day.
