Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, no President Donald Trump, may enter the Friday dignified move of the four U. S. soldiers who died in Lithuania last week during a training workout.
Trump traveled to South Florida Thursday afternoon to go the LIV golfing game, which will take place this trip at Trump National Doral.
Brain OF FINAL MISSING US ARMY SOLDIER IN LITHUANIA RECOVERED, HEGSETH Says
” The Secretary of Defense may reflect the Administration at the respectful exchange for the four valiant U. S. servicemembers who tragically died during a coaching practice in Lithuania”, White House press director Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
Cpl. Jose Duenez Jr., Sgt. Edvin Franco, Pfc. Dante Taitano, and Staff Sgt. Troy Knutson-Collins, all based with the U. S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, went missing along with an M88A2 Hercules during a scheduled coaching practice in Pabrade, Lithuania, next year. American, Lithuanian, and Polish groups searched the surrounding region for weeks before recovering the military car from a marsh on Monday and recovering the last set of keeps the following morning.
The community members of the fallen men requested that no internet been present at the exchange on Friday, according to White House leaders.
Liberals, however, were quick to note the government’s determination not to go Friday’s respectful exchange.
” The President of the United States as of now will not meet the remains of our service members when they land at Dover… because he will be at a golf tournament”, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ ) wrote on X. ” Now you see why we are worried about his cuts to the VA”?
However, a group of Democratic legislators, including Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Chris Coons (D-DE ), are expected to attend the transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Former President Joe Biden drew strong views for his 2021 presence at the respectable shift for U. S. support people killed in the August departure from Afghanistan.
Critics attacked Biden after photos of the previous leader checking his watch during the move went viral on social media. Trump featured the people of the 13 murdered Americans throughout many of his 2024 plan.
Prior to the departure from Europe on Thursday, American and Ukrainian authorities honored the four fell men with a miles-long festival.
” In this time of deep grief, we are reminded of the indomitable connection between our regions”, the U. S. Embassy in Vilnius said in a statement. ” The kindness, respect, and unwavering support demonstrated by Lithuania and all who stood with us will sound for years to come. To our Friends, other support people, and everyone who contributed to bringing them home—our deepest gratitude”.
— U. S. Embassy Vilnius ( @USEmbVilnius ) April 3, 2025
