Dems blast their own party for using 'heroic dead for a political attack on Memorial Day'
On a Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery, graves of the fallen stretch in rows to the horizon. (Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress)
May 26, 2026
A pair of Democratic lawmakers – both combat veterans – blasted their own party for a social media post marking Memorial Day.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called out the the Democratic National Committee for posting photos of 13 U.S. service members killed during the military conflict with Iran and blaming President Donald Trump for their deaths.
“It is incredibly distasteful to use our heroic dead for a political attack on Memorial Day,” Duckworth posted on her social media accounts. “I’m a Democrat and I condemn this post by the DNC.”
Duckworth served in the U.S. Army from 1992 to 2014 and lost both of her legs and injured her right arm during a 2004 combat mission during the Iraq War.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), who served as an Army Ranger during three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, also criticized the DNC post.
“If we want the moral high ground, we have to be better,” Crow posted. “I fought for our country and served with those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s wrong to politicize this day. I won’t hesitate to call out my own team when we fall short."
The president also drew criticism for his Memorial Day social media messages attacking Democrats.
"Happy Memorial Day to all, including the Dumocrats, who disrespect our Military and all of the tremendous success that it has had over the last year," Trump posted early that morning. "Memorial Day is traditionally one of the most unifying moments on the American political calendar, a day when presidents of both parties have set aside partisan conflict to honor the men and women who died in service to the country."
"God Bless those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I love you all!" he added.
The DNC eventually deleted its post after receiving criticism from the Democratic lawmakers, but Trump's message and subsequent posts attacking his rivals remain online.