Trump takes heat over scrapped trip to cemetery in France

Fox News ^ | 11/10/18 | Elizabeth Zwirz

[Simon Green]

The White House and President Trump took some heat on Saturday after it was announced that he would not make a previously scheduled visit to a cemetery in France for Americans killed in World War I due to inclement weather.

Trump arrived in France on Friday to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, along with first lady Melania Trump. They'd planned to visit Ainse-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France. The president was expected to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence.

The first couple was supposed to travel to the site via helicopter, according to The Hill. But the White House released a statement, saying the visit had been called off.

“The President and First Lady’s trip to Ainse-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial has been canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather,” the statement said. “An American delegation led by Chief of Staff General John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford will attend on their behalf.”

The decision drew negative reactions from two officials who served in previous administrations.

David Frum, a speechwriter for former President George W. Bush, took to Twitter to slam the move, insisting that other transportation accommodations could’ve been made in case of poor weather.

“It's not even 60 miles from central Paris to the monument. If the weather is too wet & windy for helicopters, a presidential motorcade could drive the distance in an hour,” Frum tweeted. “On site, presidential advance could easily erect a tent to protect the dignitaries (and the the presidential hair-do) from inclement weather.”

A later tweet said, “Two words: contingency plans. Previous White Houses made them.”

[kanawa]

Hey Frum, since you know better than the President why don’t you run for his job?
...oh wait, I forgot...you were born in Canada.

[KyCats]

So now it’s Trump’s fault that it rained.

[stratman1969]

This needs a like button

[confederatecarpetbag]

Thanks, you’re right. Late night. I got my World Wars mixed up.

[stylin19a]

thank you for that. people do forget...then we die and there's nobody left to remember.

"JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaule decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaule said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded "does that include those who are buried here? DeGuale did not respond.

"You could have heard a pin drop "

Secretary of State Colin Powell at the 2003 World Economic Forum
"We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we’ve done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in..."