Trump Faces Fallout After Missing Dover Ceremony for 7th Soldier Killed in Iran War
President Donald Trump was absent Monday night when the remains of a U.S. soldier killed in the Iran conflict returned to American soil, a decision that followed days of criticism over his conduct at a previous ceremony.
The dignified transfer for U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Kentucky, was held at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, according to reporting from The Independent. Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and senior military leaders attended the solemn ceremony honoring the fallen service member.
Trump had attended an earlier transfer for six troops killed in the same conflict but sparked backlash after appearing in a white “USA” baseball cap during the ceremony — a move critics said broke longstanding etiquette requiring civilians to remove hats during military funerals.
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According to press pool reports cited by The Independent, Trump spent Monday at a House Republican retreat at his golf club in Doral, Florida, and was traveling back to Washington during the transfer.
The absence quickly fueled debate online and across media outlets about presidential protocol during wartime casualties.
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