Trump marks Veterans Day in Arlington
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, emerging in public for the first time since his failed re- election bid to take part in the annual presidential rite.
Trump, who honored veterans in a ceremony held during a steady rain, has spent the last several days holed up at the White House tweeting baseless claims of voter fraud after his election loss.
He’s made no public comments since President-elect Joe Biden surpassed the 270 electoral votes on Saturday needed to win the presidency.
Although his official schedule has been devoid of public events, Trump has made several personnel moves — firing Defense Secretary Mark Esper and installing three staunch loyalists in top defense jobs. Trump’s pick to serve as acting defense secretary, Christopher Miller, was among the Pentagon brass that joined the president for the solemn Veterans Day ceremony.
Meanwhile, his legal
team has filed a barrage of lawsuits alleging voting fraud in the battleground states that went for Biden.
Trump was also joined at Arlington National Cemetery by first lady Melania Trump as well Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen Pence.
Pence had been scheduled to travel to Sanibel,
Florida, Tuesday through Saturday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, but will instead be in Washington on Wednesday. Pence’s office didn’t immediately comment on the status of his trip.
Pence has vacationed on the island along Florida’s Gulf Coast several times previously.