President Joe Biden is planning to visit the American cemetery outside Paris to honor World War I dead, setting up a contrast with former President Donald Trump, who skipped a similar visit in 2018. Biden will pay his respects at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial before returning to Washington. Trump was in Paris to commemorate the centennial of the end of World War I and blamed weather and safety issues for not visiting the cemetery, but reports later emerged that he referred to fallen US service members in derogatory terms.
CNN reported that Trump called fallen soldiers at Aisne-Marne cemetery “losers” and “suckers,” which he has forcefully denied. Biden has used these comments to paint Trump as unfit for office, releasing a campaign ad featuring veterans criticizing Trump’s behavior. Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, corroborated some of the allegations made by The Atlantic, including the cemetery visit and comments about US soldiers killed in battle.
Biden’s campaign is aiming to distance the president from his predecessor – and the presumptive GOP presidential nominee – on defense. During his visit to France, Biden pledged unwavering support for European allies, in contrast to Trump’s noncommittal stance. Trump has cast doubt on future support for NATO, stating that he would encourage Russia to do as they please with countries not meeting defense spending guidelines if reelected.
Biden also made a visit to Pointe-du-Hoc, a D-Day site, and emphasized the importance of standing up against aggression and defending democracy, echoing similar sentiments expressed by former president Ronald Reagan. Both Biden and Reagan highlighted the need to be part of something bigger than ourselves and to protect freedom in our time. Trump also visited Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day but shifted focus to attack Democrats in an interview after his speech.
In conclusion, Biden’s visit to the American cemetery in France is not just a tribute to fallen soldiers but also a way to draw a contrast with Trump’s actions during his presidency. By reaffirming support for European allies and emphasizing the importance of defending democracy, Biden is positioning himself as a strong leader on defense issues. Meanwhile, Trump’s controversial comments and actions continue to be a point of contention in the political landscape.
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