ARIZONA NEWS

John McCain’s son speaks out against Trump using Arlington visit for political purposes

Sep 4, 2024, 4:45 AM | Updated: 11:26 am

PHOENIX – Former President Donald Trump’s visit to the Arlington National Cemetery has received criticism after he used photos and videos from the day for political purposes. Adding to the criticism was Jim McCain, the son of former U.S. Sen. John McCain.

What was originally a wreath-laying ceremony to honor 13 U.S. soldiers killed in the withdrawal of Afghanistan turned into controversy after Trump’s campaign violated federal law by taking photos and videos for political activities in a part of the cemetery. An Arlington National Cemetery employee attempted to stop the Trump campaign but was pushed aside.

Jim McCain, a member of the Arizona National Guard, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos on Tuesday that three generations of his family members are at the cemetery, expressing the respect needed for such a sacred place.

“Arlington National Cemetery is the most sacred place for veterans, for people who have served, for the family members of those who have served,” McCain said. “There’s rules … and one of them is it shouldn’t be used for any form of political purposes.”

Since the incident, Trump has said that he only took photos at the request of the Gold Star families who invited him to the ceremony. The Trump campaign released a statement from the Gold Star families defending his visit.

McCain doesn’t place any blame on the families, saying it’s their choice if they want to take a photo with the former president and their loved ones.

“What’s wrong is that any form of it being politicized and being used to the campaign,” McCain said.

He added that the soldiers buried at the cemetery don’t have political opinions and don’t have a choice on whether they would want to participate.

McCain’s own father ran into similar controversy for using footage from the cemetery in a campaign ad. In 1999, a television ad for McCain’s presidential campaign displayed him walking through the cemetery grounds. Following the Army’s statements that his campaign violated the law and never asked for permission to film at the cemetery, McCain cut the clip from the ad and apologized.

In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday, McCain said his dad did the right thing by cutting the spot because he understood the sanctified nature of the national cemetery. McCain said the right thing to do is for Trump to pull his ads using the footage and to apologize but felt Trump’s previous history with veterans showed that was unlikely.

McCain recently revealed he was changing his voter registration to Democrat after being an Independent.

“I think one of the main points of switching over and coming over has been that I feel that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz embody a group of people who will help make this country better, that will take us forward and that’s really what matters at the end of the day,” McCain said in the CNN interview.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

3 hours ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

4 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

6 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

6 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

8 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

9 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

John McCain’s son speaks out against Trump using Arlington visit for political purposes