Former President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery has ignited fierce criticism from a retired U.S. Navy veteran, who condemned the controversial figure as a “treasonous traitor” and questioned why he was permitted on such sacred grounds. Brad Berkwitt, a Navy veteran who served for over two decades and now hosts The ‘Bad’ Brad Berkwitt Show, expressed his outrage on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
In a strongly worded video message, Berkwitt did not hold back his anger over Trump’s presence at the cemetery. “As a veteran who gave 20 years and 28 days of his life, I AM BEYOND PISSED!” Berkwitt wrote. “Who in the f****** hell allowed Trump to lay a wreath today at Arlington Cemetery that is shitting on my brothers and sisters who served their country, something this rotten bastard never did?”
Berkwitt, who served during Desert Shield, Desert Storm, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War, continued his tirade, pointing to Trump’s actions on January 6, 2021, and his legal troubles as reasons why he should not have been allowed to participate in the ceremony. “On this day, a f****** treasonous traitor who tried to overthrow the government on January 6th, 2021. A convicted felon, an adjudicated rapist, liable for fraud, degenerate misogynistic pig, lying grifter… was allowed to go to Arlington National Cemetery on this special day.”
The Navy veteran’s frustration also extended to Trump’s supporters, particularly those within the veteran community. “You f****** MAGA m************ veterans. They’re okay with this treasonous traitor… But I wanna know who the f*** allowed this m*********** to go today and later this week for a f******* photo op. At the expense of our fallen brothers and sisters.”
Berkwitt’s outburst highlights the deep and ongoing tensions surrounding Trump’s legacy, particularly in light of the events of January 6, 2021, and his subsequent legal challenges. Earlier this year, Trump was ordered to pay columnist E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defamation after she accused him of rape, following a previous jury ruling that awarded Carroll $5 million for s*xual assault and defamation.
Trump’s appearance at Arlington coincided with the third anniversary of a terrorist attack during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The attack at Abbey Gate outside Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26, 2021, resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
In a statement, Trump’s campaign seized the moment to criticize Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, linking her to what they termed the “chaotic retreat from Afghanistan.” Trump also commented on Truth Social, calling it the “third anniversary of the BOTCHED Afghanistan withdrawal, the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country.”
Vice President Harris and President Biden released statements honoring the fallen soldiers, with Harris praising them as “devoted patriots” who represented “the best of America,” while also defending Biden’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the treatment of veterans and military affairs is likely to remain a central issue, with Trump’s complex relationship with the military continuing to provoke strong reactions from all sides.
As a veteran who gave 20 years and 28 days of his life, I AM BEYOND PISSED!
— Official Account of (Activist) "Bad" Brad Berkwitt (@BadBradRSR) August 26, 2024
Who in the fucking hell allowed Trump to lay a wreath today at Arlington Cemetery that is shitting on my brothers and sisters who served their country, something this rotten bastard never did? pic.twitter.com/vOP1CrHOhe
He called them suckers and losers. He refused to visit their fellow fallen, in Europe. But today, with an election coming up, Donald Trump pretends to care about all those who died in service to America.
— VoteVets (@votevets) August 26, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Sd7V4AU0x4
Three years ago today, outside of Kabul Airport, an ISIS terrorist killed 13 American service members and more than 100 innocent Afghans, and wounded many more.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) August 26, 2024
On this solemn day, let us come together as one nation to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the… pic.twitter.com/PJymETLOyf