A recent article from The Atlantic highlights concerns regarding former President Donald Trump’s approach to the funeral of Vanessa Guillen, a servicemember who was murdered.
The report suggests that Trump initially pledged to cover the costs associated with Guillen’s funeral. However, upon receiving the $60,000 bill, Trump reportedly became enraged and withdrew his commitment, according to The Atlantic.
Trump’s justifications for not covering Guillen’s funeral expenses
As outlined in The Atlantic, Trump met with Guillen’s relatives to express his sorrow and his desire to assist with funeral expenses.
“I saw what happened to your daughter Vanessa, who was a remarkable person and was loved and respected by everyone, including within the military,” he reportedly stated to the family. “If I can help you out with the funeral, I’ll help—I’ll assist you with that,” he assured them, further adding, “Financially, I’ll help you.”
Later, speaking to the press, he claimed that he had engaged in similar gestures in the past and emphasized the importance of handling matters personally rather than employing government aid.
However, after seeing the total funeral cost of $60,000, he allegedly expressed outrage. The article references notes and accounts from those present at the meeting, indicating that Trump chose not to fulfill his earlier promise.
“It doesn’t cost $60,000 to bury a fucking Mexican,” Trump reportedly said during the meeting, instructing his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, not to make the payment and alleging that the Guillen family was trying to exploit the situation.
Meadows has publicly defended Trump, asserting that he was respectful towards the Guillen family.
Meadows, who remains fiercely loyal to Trump, is currently confronting felony charges related to the 2020 election case in Arizona, including fraud, forgery, and conspiracy.
Responses from Vanessa Guillen’s family
Mayra Guillen, Vanessa’s sister, criticized the article on X, voicing her support for Trump.
“President Donald Trump did nothing but show respect to my family & Vanessa,” Mayra stated. “In fact, I voted for President Trump today.”
Family attorney Natalie Khawam also took to X to counter the article’s claims, alleging that it was designed for “cheap political gain” and described it as sensationalized.
Despite the controversy, Vanessa Guillen’s legacy continues
The tragic murder of Vanessa Guillen in 2020 at Fort Hood, now known as Fort Cavazos, reverberated through the military community. Her death led to significant reforms in procedures surrounding sexual assault and misconduct reporting, culminating in the I Am Vanessa Guillen Act.
This legislation initiated comprehensive reforms in the handling of sexual harassment and assault cases within the military. It established sexual harassment as a criminal offense under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and shifted the responsibility for prosecuting such cases away from the chain of command, thus safeguarding those who come forward.
Importantly, the act stipulates that commanders cannot involve themselves in investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and must request an independent inquiry within 72 hours of a report. These updates have provided military personnel with a more dignified method of reporting issues while minimizing the risks of retaliation.
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