On Sunday, President Joe Biden visited a World War I cemetery near Paris, marking his final stop in France.
The visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery was remarkable because it contrasted with former President Donald Trump’s decision not to visit the same cemetery in 2018, claiming inclement weather. Later, sources claimed that Trump called people buried there “suckers” and “losers.”
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Trump categorically denies ever saying anything, but Biden has frequently used the anecdote as an example of why he believes Trump is unfit to be commander in chief.
When asked why he chose to visit this cemetery in particular, Biden appeared to take a shot at Trump.
“Is it the idea that I come to Normandy and not make the short trip here to pay tribute?” asked Biden. Biden replied.
“And it’s the same narrative; think about it. America responded. To stop the Germans, America intervened. The United States showed up to ensure that they would not win. And America comes through when we need it, just like our allies do for us,” the president concluded.
When asked about his criticism of Trump for not visiting the cemetery, Biden declined to go after him directly, instead adding “any other questions?” before outlining the personal impact trips to military cemeteries had on him.
“You know, I do not want to make this personal. Every time I visit a military cemetery where veterans rest, it evokes memories of my grandfather and mother discussing the deaths of their son and brother in the South Pacific. And I believe my kid, Beau. So, you know, I believe it is a reflection of a country’s commitment to democratic ideas, and it honors those who have sacrificed and lost their lives,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the trip, the president stated that the most moving event was his visit to Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, and that he hoped Americans would take away from it “the knowledge that the best way to avoid these types of battles in the future is to stand strong with our allies.”
“Some argue that we have become semi-isolationists. The idea that we had to wait for months to secure funding for Iraq is simply not representative of who we are. It’s not who America is,” Biden added, appearing to mistake Iraq for Ukraine and criticizing the GOP’s growing reluctance to maintain a strong presence abroad.
Before taking questions, the president paused for a moment in front of a memorial wreath, folded his arms, and bent his head before returning to first lady Jill Biden to listen to a version of “Taps,” saluting the memorial while it played.
The president will now travel back to the United States.
