Son of Late Senator John McCain Condemns Trump’s Campaign Visit to Arlington National Cemetery

1st Lt. Jimmy McCain, the youngest son of the late Senator John McCain, has expressed profound disapproval of former President Donald Trump’s recent campaign event at Arlington National Cemetery, calling it a “violation” of the sanctity of the site. McCain, who has recently shifted his political affiliation from independent to Democrat, is speaking out about Trump’s actions at the revered location where multiple generations of his family are buried.

McCain, who has served in the military for 17 years, voiced his frustration in an exclusive interview with CNN, highlighting the disrespect he believes Trump showed by using Arlington as a backdrop for a political campaign. “These men and women who are laying in the ground there have no choice” in being part of a political event, McCain said. “It’s not about you there. It’s about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country.”

Trump’s visit to Arlington on Monday, which included a wreath-laying ceremony for the 13 U.S. service members killed in the Kabul airport attack in 2021, was marked by controversy. The former president’s campaign filmed the visit, leading to a confrontation with a cemetery staffer who attempted to halt the filming. According to the Army, the campaign’s actions violated federal law, Army regulations, and Defense Department policies. Trump’s team reportedly ignored the staffer’s protests and continued to record, with one campaign manager dismissing the criticism as “100% a manufactured story.”

McCain’s disapproval is also rooted in his personal experiences. He had just returned from a seven-month deployment to Tower 22 on the Jordan-Syria border, where he was deeply affected by the recent loss of fellow service members. Seeing Trump’s campaign activities at Arlington was particularly painful for him, given the backdrop of his recent service and the families of the fallen.

While other members of the McCain family, including his mother Cindy and sister Meghan, have distanced themselves from Trump, Jimmy McCain is the first to formally disassociate from the Republican Party. Meghan McCain has expressed strong criticism of Trump but has remained committed to conservative principles.

McCain’s recent political shift reflects a broader reevaluation of his beliefs and values. He plans to support Kamala Harris in the upcoming election and is committed to contributing to her campaign. “John McCain was my father, and a lot of people lose that in the minutia,” McCain said, emphasizing his personal connection and the pain he feels over Trump’s derogatory remarks about his father.

As the election approaches, McCain is poised to become more actively involved in political advocacy, driven by his personal convictions and experiences.