Who is Jimmy McCain, the man who blasted Donald Trump over the Arlington National Cemetery scuffle? The son of ex-senator John McCain was also the first in his family to split from the Republicans

Nov 23 , 2024

Jimmy McCain, with his father John McCain and sister Meghan McCain attending an event in 2013, in New York City. Photo: Getty Images

The US military veteran, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, described the incident as deeply personal for him and called it a violation of hallowed, sacred ground

The backlash over Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, in August and the alleged scuffle between his campaign and cemetery staff drew headlines before the US elections. Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony honouring those killed when US troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021. It was reported that a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump’s team from filming in a restricted area, leading to an altercation. Team Trump rubbished the outrage, saying he was invited to the cemetery and insisting there was no scuffle.

Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery in August caused controversy. Photo: @CLewandowski_/X

One of the most notable voices emerging in the aftermath of the incident was that of Jimmy McCain, son of former senator John McCain. He slammed Trump for what he said was a violation of sacred ground. Jimmy McCain, a military man who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, had just returned from a seven-month deployment along the Jordan-Syria border. Three American soldiers were killed and more than 40 personnel hurt in a drone attack during his time there and McCain said the use of the cemetery in a political campaign was of particular significance to him.

Arlington National Cemetery is the United States’ largest military cemetery and the final resting place of more than 400,000 military veterans and their loved ones. Here is what you need to know about Jimmy McCain and why his voice resonated with many.

Why did Jimmy McCain slam Donald Trump?

Jimmy McCain with father John McCain, who died in 2018. Photo: @senjohnmccain/Instagram

McCain, 36, made headlines for speaking out about the Trump cemetery clash. Per The New York Times, several generations of the McCain family are buried at the cemetery and McCain said the Trump incident was personal for many. “It’s very hallowed, sacred ground, and it should be left that way,” he said. He told CNN that Arlington National Cemetery should not be made a background to political objectives. “I just think that for anyone who’s done a lot of time in their uniform, they just understand that inherently – that it’s not about you there.”

Why were his comments such a big deal?

Cindy McCain in contemplation, with sons Jimmy (right) and Jack, during husband John’s funeral in Arizona in 2018. Photo: TNS

McCain’s speaking out against Trump was a critical moment in the US political battle before the elections. Father John was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008 and a political stalwart as a long-standing senator from Arizona. He died in 2018 and per The New York Times, his body lay in state in Washington’s Capitol Rotunda. His son’s criticism of Trump signalled a bold move away from his family’s roots in the Republican Party.