When former President Donald Trump turned a solemn visit to Arlington National Cemetery into a campaign event, it struck a nerve with many—none more so than 1st Lt. Jimmy McCain. The youngest son of the late Senator John McCain, Jimmy had already been distancing himself from the Republican Party, recently registering as a Democrat and pledging his support for Kamala Harris in the upcoming election. But Trump’s behavior at Arlington, where generations of McCains are buried, pushed him to speak out publicly for the first time.
In an exclusive interview with CNN, Jimmy McCain described Trump’s actions as a “violation.” Having served in the military for 17 years, he felt the deep significance of the cemetery, a place where the ultimate sacrifice is honored. “These men and women that are laying in the ground there have no choice” in being used as a backdrop for political posturing, McCain said, adding that those who have worn the uniform understand that Arlington is “not about you; it’s about these people who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country.”
McCain’s decision to speak out marks a significant departure from his family’s long-standing ties to the Republican Party. Both his mother Cindy McCain and sister Meghan McCain have both distanced themselves from Trump, and Meghan, despite her strong criticisms of Trump, signaled last week that she still wouldn’t endorse Harris making Jimmy’s move to register as a Democrat and support Harris unprecedented. It’s a bold step for the son of a former GOP presidential candidate and respected Arizona senator, but one that he feels is necessary in light of Trump’s continued disrespect for the military and those who serve.
Please stop trying to turn me into a progressive. It’s a fever dream.
I’m a life long, generational conservative. https://t.co/XfN7faWd2X
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) August 28, 2024
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Trump’s recent actions at Arlington are just the latest in a series of troubling behaviors that have alienated many, including lifelong conservatives like McCain. Trump’s past attacks on John McCain, labeling him “not a war hero” because he was captured in Vietnam, were deeply personal blows to the McCain family. But Jimmy McCain had largely stayed out of the political fray until now. The use of Arlington as a prop for Trump’s campaign was a step too far.
Trump’s campaign, showing no remorse, has defended their actions and even released footage of the visit, despite protests from cemetery staff. The Army rebuked Trump’s campaign for violating federal law and Department of Defense policies, but Trump’s team dismissed these concerns, calling the Army “hacks” and claiming the story was “manufactured.”
For Jimmy McCain, the issue is deeply personal. As someone who has dedicated his life to serving his country, he is appalled by Trump’s disregard for the sacrifices made by military families. “Many of these men and women, who served their country, chose to do something greater than themselves,” McCain said. He believes Trump’s actions at Arlington stem from his insecurities about never having served, something that clearly weighs on the former president.
As the election approaches, Jimmy McCain is preparing to take a more active role in supporting Kamala Harris’s campaign. His decision to speak out is not just about politics; it’s about standing up for the values of service and sacrifice that his father embodied and that Trump continues to trample on. For McCain, this is a fight for the soul of the nation, and he’s ready to take it on.
