Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) called former President Donald Trump “despicable” after he said the nation’s highest civilian award was “far better” than the highest military award because soldiers must die or be seriously wounded to receive it.
“Donald Trump is despicable. He doesn’t deserve to be commander in chief,” Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost her legs in an attack on her Black Hawk helicopter in 2004, said on ABC News’ “This Week.” “And these comments certainly resonate with his opinion. He thinks we’re suckers and losers, and, frankly, he’s not fit to be commander in chief.”
Duckworth was awarded the Purple Heart for her service and was a passionate defender of veterans during her time in Congress.
Trump spoke at a campaign rally in New Jersey on Thursday, where he was introduced by Republican major donor Miriam Adelson. After taking the stage, the former president praised the billionaire for her work supporting Republican causes and noted that he awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, during his time in office.
“This is the highest award a civilian can receive. It is equivalent to the Congressional Medal of Honor, but in a civilian version,” Trump said, referring to the country’s highest military award.
“It’s actually much better because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, so soldiers are either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit by bullets so many times, or they’re dead,” he continued.
The remarks led to immediate condemnation.
Duckworth said Trump’s recent comments were emblematic of the country’s choice between the former president and the Harris campaign. She praised Harris’ choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as his running mate and dismissed criticism of his military record, adding that she was pleased to see someone with military experience running for office.
“The American voters have a choice,” the senator said on Sunday. “Do they want a five-time draft dodger as their next commander in chief who denigrates soldiers and veterans, calls us idiots and losers, who doesn’t want to be photographed with amputee veterans from various conflicts?”
“Or will you have Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who care deeply about veterans’ well-being,” she said. “Tim Walz has been a strong advocate on so many veterans’ issues.”
