President Joe Biden made a visit to a World War I cemetery in France on Sunday, viewed as a jab at former President Donald Trump, who had skipped the visit in 2018 and reportedly made disrespectful remarks about American war dead.
Biden, a Democrat, and Trump, a Republican, are expected to face off in a presidential election later this year, putting US democracy to a severe test.
During the last day of his five-day tour, Biden visited the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial near Belleau in northern France.
The cemetery holds the graves of 2,289 war dead who fought in the vicinity and the Marne Valley in 1918.
During his visit, Biden saluted military officers next to a wreath at the cemetery chapel’s steps, touched the wreath, stood silently for a moment, and made the sign of the cross.
– Trump troop controversy –
In 2018, Trump cancelled his visit to the cemetery, citing poor weather and concerns about his hair, according to reports.
Trump reportedly referred to American war dead as “losers” and called Marines who perished at Belleau Wood “suckers,” although he denies making those remarks.
Biden has criticized Trump for these alleged comments in the past.
Biden has been in France since Wednesday, participating in commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Biden’s state visit on Saturday, which was overshadowed by Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
Biden refrained from discussing the controversy on Sunday, focusing on the significance of his trip to France.
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