The McCain family keeps taking cheap shots at Trump.
Lt. Jimmy McCain, son of the late Republican Arizona Senator John McCain, has recently stirred controversy by criticizing former President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery. McCain, a veteran with over 17 years of military service, has taken a public stance against Trump, denouncing his actions during a recent visit to the cemetery.
McCain, who now identifies as a Democrat, expressed his disapproval on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” accusing Trump of exploiting the sacred grounds of Arlington for political purposes. He emphasized that the cemetery, which is the final resting place for three generations of McCains, should remain a space of solemn respect, free from political activities. “It’s a sacred area,” McCain asserted. “The people who are buried there don’t have an opinion. When you make it political, you take away the respect of the people who are there.”
Trump’s visit occurred on the three-year anniversary of the tragic bombing at Abbey Gate, which claimed the lives of 13 American service members. During his visit, Trump laid a wreath and took photos with Gold Star families. This move drew criticism because, while Arlington allows photos, it has strict guidelines against partisan political activities.
An Army spokesperson criticized the Trump campaign for allegedly disregarding these rules, though Trump himself has denied any wrongdoing. This isn’t the first time Arlington’s political neutrality has been questioned; in the late 1990s, Senator John McCain faced similar backlash for a campaign ad filmed at the cemetery.
Jimmy McCain, who has recently switched his party affiliation from independent to Democrat, reflected on his decision, expressing frustration with Trump’s history of comments about his father. “I’ve never forgotten it,” McCain said, referring to Trump’s disparaging remarks about John McCain’s military service. “To hear those things said about him, I can never forgive.”
Despite his personal shift in party allegiance, McCain’s sister, Meghan McCain, remains a staunch Republican. She has publicly stated her intention to neither support Trump nor Harris in the upcoming election, emphasizing her ongoing commitment to the GOP.
As McCain prepares to support Vice President Kamala Harris, he indicates that he will actively work towards her victory. Harris’s campaign has been spotlighting support from Republican defectors, including former Bush and McCain allies, and has hinted at including Republicans in her administration.