The Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) criticized President Donald Trump over anonymously sourced claims he referred to U.S. service members injured and killed in war as “losers” and “suckers.” Trump has refuted the claims as false.
Smith issued a statement on Sept. 5 criticizing Trump over an article by The Atlantic alleging the president disparaged U.S. troops during a November 2018 visit to France. The Atlantic article cites four anonymous sources who claim they were present when Trump canceled a trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris, France, and claim Trump questioned why he should honor fallen service members.
In his statement, Smith asked, “How can a man obsessed with himself and incapable of empathy, a man who cannot fathom the meaning of sacrifice, possibly lead a nation?”
Smith added, “The President claims he loves the military, because it’s part of his political strategy, but when the mics are off and the cameras are no longer rolling he has shown his true colors. He has no respect for our military; he views our service members as window dressing for his cosplay of the American presidency.”
Trump has disputed the claims by The Atlantic, and several officials who were present during the 2018 trip have also publicly disputed the claims.
Smith also attacked Trump over claims Russia offered bounties to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Smith asked, “Why does he refuse to stand up to Putin for putting bounties on the heads of American and coalition forces? Because he fundamentally does not care about our troops.”
Pentagon officials have pushed back on the Russian bounty claims as uncorroborated.
Smith concluded his letter saying U.S. military service members “deserve a President who respects their service and appreciates their dedication. President Trump is obviously incapable of such respect.”
Here is Smith’s full statement:
Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s disparaging comments about our service members and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“The President’s fundamental misunderstanding of the military and his complete disregard for our service members – calling them ‘losers’ and ‘suckers’ repeatedly – are a disgrace to our nation and prove once again that he is incapable of performing the duties of Commander-in-Chief. How can a man obsessed with himself and incapable of empathy, a man who cannot fathom the meaning of sacrifice, possibly lead a nation?
“The President claims he loves the military, because it’s part of his political strategy, but when the mics are off and the cameras are no longer rolling he has shown his true colors. He has no respect for our military; he views our service members as window dressing for his cosplay of the American presidency. Why does he refuse to stand up to Putin for putting bounties on the heads of American and coalition forces? Because he fundamentally does not care about our troops.
“It has been an honor to sit on the Armed Services Committee every year I have served in Congress. The men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms reflect the best of our country: they are talented, diverse, and dedicated to the service of their fellow Americans. These brave patriots deserve a President who respects their service and appreciates their dedication. President Trump is obviously incapable of such respect.”
