Former President Donald Trump faced backlash over his visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he participated in a wreath-laying ceremony honoring 13 service members killed during the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal in 2021. Gold Star families invited him to the event and defended his presence against criticisms from Vice President Kamala Harris, who accused him of disrespecting 'sacred ground' for political gain. Some family members asserted that Trump was there to honor their loved ones, while others expressed discontent regarding the filming of the visit, particularly as it involved gravesites of soldiers who did not consent to being filmed. The Army has stated that filming for political purposes is prohibited at the cemetery, but the Trump campaign claimed to have permission from certain families. The altercation involving cemetery staff during the visit has also come under scrutiny, with conflicting accounts emerging. Harris's comments have prompted Gold Star families to speak out against her, alleging that she politicized their grief for her own agenda.