Late Senator John McCain’s son has spoken out against Donald Trump’s recent antics at Arlington National Cemetery and endorsed Kamala Harris for the upcoming presidential election.
In a surprising development, Jimmy McCain, son of late Republican Senator John McCain, has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, expressing concern over former President Donald Trump’s recent behavior during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. The endorsement comes in the wake of the controversy involving Trump’s team and violations of the cemetery’s rules, which McCain has described as a “violation” of the sacred place.
Jimmy McCain, a former independent who has now changed his voter registration to Democrat, voiced his support during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper. “The purpose of Arlington Cemetery is to show respect to the men and women who have given their lives to this country,” he stressed. “When you make it political, you take away the respect of the people who are there.” McCain’s remarks reflect his deep personal connection to Arlington, where three generations of his family, including his father, are buried.
Controversy over Trump’s cemetery visit
The controversy began when Donald Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery last week to commemorate American soldiers killed during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The former president’s visit was criticised for violating the rules of the site and its operations. According to reports, a Trump staffer pushed an Arlington employee who was attempting to warn him about restrictions on filming within the cemetery.
The Trump campaign has since defended its actions, saying it had obtained permission from the families of the fallen soldiers to film during the event. In a statement, the campaign noted that Trump was there to honour the sacrifice of the soldiers who lost their lives, rather than make a political statement. However, Jimmy McCain and others have expressed concerns that the visit crossed a line. McCain told CNN, “Show respect and walk away. There’s no need to video it.” A deeply personal stance
For McCain, the issue is more than just a political disagreement; it’s a matter of personal principle. As a Marine Corps intelligence officer since 2022, he has deep respect for military service and the ultimate sacrifice made by so many who rest at Arlington. “When you make it political, you take away the respect of the people who are there,” he said, reflecting on how Trump’s actions compromised the sanctity of the place.
McCain’s endorsement of Kamala Harris marks a significant shift in his political stance. He said he sees Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, as leaders who embody a vision for America that is forward-thinking and unifying. “I think Kamala Harris and Tim Walz represent a group of people who will help make this country better,” McCain said, adding that their approach to leadership is what the country needs right now.
Family divided over politics
The McCain family has long been known for its diverse political views, which sometimes lead to public disagreements. Meghan McCain, Jimmy’s sister and a prominent conservative commentator, also recently voiced her opinion on the current political climate. However, she made it clear that she does not plan to support either Trump or Harris in the upcoming election. “I greatly respect all of my family members’ different political opinions and love them all very much,” she wrote on Twitter’s X. “However, I remain a proud member of the Republican Party and look forward to better days in the future.”
The rift between the McCain siblings reflects a broader trend in American politics today, where even within families, divisions between parties and candidates can be stark and personal. Jimmy McCain’s decision to endorse Harris is particularly notable given his family’s Republican roots and the fact that his father, John McCain, was one of the most prominent GOP figures of his time.
A Complicated History Between Trump and McCain
The relationship between Donald Trump and the late John McCain was fraught with tension and animosity. From the beginning of his first presidential campaign, Trump took aim at Senator McCain, disparaging his war hero status by saying, “He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” This comment, among other things, set the stage for a contentious relationship between Trump and the McCain family, with Meghan McCain and other members often criticizing the former president for his lack of respect and courtesy.
The late Senator McCain, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who was held as a prisoner of war for more than five years, was known for his integrity and commitment to bipartisan cooperation. He was one of Trump’s earliest and most vocal Republican critics.