President Donald Trump is under fire for choosing to attend high-profile events in Florida rather than participating in the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for four U.S. service members killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
The fallen soldiers—Staff Sergeants Troy S. Knutson-Collins, Jose Duenez Jr., Edvin F. Franco and Private First Class Dante D. Taitano—were honored in a solemn ceremony in Lithuania, attended by national leaders and the U.S. ambassador.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda personally attended the departure ceremony in Vilnius, standing alongside U.S. officials as the remains of the four American soldiers began their solemn journey home for repatriation.
At Dover, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will stand in for the president during the transfer of remains.
Vice President JD Vance is also not expected to attend.
The Hill has additional details:
Four U.S. soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division likely died on March 25 after their M88 Hercules vehicle became submerged in a bog during training in Lithuania. The incident happened at the expansive General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė, close to the border with Belarus.
The bodies of three of the soldiers were initially recovered Monday after a massive, nearly weeklong effort to dig the vehicle out, with the fourth soldier found Tuesday.
An administration official told The Hill the families of the fallen soldiers requested no media be present at the transfer and that the White House is requesting their respect for privacy. Officials have also been working on correspondence to the families.
The decision has drawn backlash. During Trump’s first term he reportedly attended only four of 96 dignified transfers.
One of the most solemn traditions in U.S. military protocol, the dignified transfer is a chance for the president to publicly honor fallen service members. Trump’s avoidance of such ceremonies reportedly stems from a prior uncomfortable encounter with a grieving military parent.
The president departed Washington on Thursday for a long weekend in Florida. His schedule includes a LIV Golf dinner at Trump National Doral in Miami and a $1 million-per-head fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.
Meanwhile, a group of Democratic lawmakers is planning to attend the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base. They include Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.), Senator Tammy Duckworth (Ill.) and Senator Chris Coons (Del).
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It is a shame that this did happen, but I’m not going to throw stones as the democrits are always so anxious to do.
If the families of the fallen soldiers requested a private ceremony with no media; how would that be accomplished since EVERYWHERE the President goes the White House press corps ALWAYS goes with him on Air Force One?
Death due to accident, though tragic, is not the same as having fallen in action. The President cannot be expected to attend when they’re non-combat deaths, or he’d constantly be tied up with transfers and funerals.
I’m sure President Trump has or is planning to, communicate with these grieving families personally, ignoring them is NOT in his DNA! Just wait and see what he does, he WILL do something, I guarantee!
If this president does not attend a ceremony for returning soldiers who died in the line of duty, there is a damn good reason. But you looked upon it as a character flaw in this President and someone who
may not know all his duties as President. For this reason I am unsubscribing from your website. You are fake conservatives.
Hil Wessel