President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit the American cemetery outside Paris honoring World War I dead, setting a contrast with former President Donald Trump, who skipped a similar visit in 2018. Biden will honor American veterans by laying a wreath at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial before returning to Washington. The visit holds symbolic significance, as Trump faced criticism for not visiting the cemetery in 2018 and making derogatory comments about fallen US service members.
Trump blamed weather and safety issues for not visiting the cemetery during his trip to Paris commemorating the centennial of the end of World War I. Reports later surfaced that Trump referred to the fallen US service members at Aisne-Marne in derogatory terms. Trump has denied these reports, but his former chief of staff has confirmed some of the anecdotes. Biden’s campaign has capitalized on these comments, releasing an ad featuring veterans criticizing Trump as unfit to serve as commander in chief.
The Biden campaign aims to distinguish the president from Trump – and the presumptive GOP presidential nominee – on defense issues. During his visit to France, Biden pledged unwavering support for European allies, in contrast to Trump’s noncommittal stance towards NATO. Trump has cast doubt on future support for NATO and suggested that Russia should be allowed to do as they please with member countries that do not meet defense spending guidelines. Biden has emphasized the importance of protecting freedom and democracy, citing the sacrifices made by American soldiers on D-Day.
Biden also visited Pointe-du-Hoc, a site separating Omaha and Utah beaches where American Army Rangers secured positions against the Germans on D-Day. Biden highlighted the importance of standing up to aggression abroad and at home, emphasizing the need to protect freedom and democracy. He drew parallels to a speech by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, stressing the dangers of isolationism in the face of expansionist tyrannical governments. Trump also visited Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day but shifted the focus to attacking Democrats in an interview after his speech.
The backdrop of Biden’s visit to France provides a platform for him to reaffirm America’s commitment to its allies and the values of freedom and democracy. Trump’s decision to skip the cemetery visit in 2018 and subsequent comments about fallen soldiers have been a recurring theme in Biden’s campaign messaging. By contrasting his approach to defense and foreign policy with Trump’s, Biden seeks to appeal to voters who prioritize a strong commitment to international alliances and standing up to aggression abroad. The visit to the American cemetery outside Paris serves as a symbolic gesture of remembrance and respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice in World War I.
