### Trump Criticizes Political Opponents in Controversial Memorial Day Message

In an early morning post on his Truth Social platform, former President Donald Trump stirred controversy by using Memorial Day to bash his political adversaries and other perceived enemies. Labeling them as "scum" and "USA hating" individuals, Trump also singled out the judiciary and President Joe Biden in his scathing remarks.

Just before 7 a.m. ET, Trump posted a message that began with "Happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds." Trump accused these groups of causing illegal immigration under Biden's administration, inflating the figure to 21 million migrants—a number that contradicts data from US Customs and Border Protection.

Trump directed further criticism at "an incompetent president" and judges he claims are protecting criminals, thus undermining his deportation policies. He argued that these "USA hating judges" are jeopardizing national safety by allowing criminals to remain in the country.

Memorial Day in the United States is a time to honor those who died while serving in the armed forces, and wishing someone a "Happy Memorial Day" is generally considered inappropriate due to the day's solemn nature. Later in the day, Trump was scheduled to attend a traditional Memorial Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery, where he would lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and deliver remarks.

During his presidency, Trump typically adhered to scripted speeches for Memorial Day, participating in the Arlington ceremony for three consecutive years before moving it to Fort McHenry in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. His controversial Memorial Day post follows a commencement address at the US Military Academy at West Point, where he mixed conventional advice with partisan rhetoric, celebrating his electoral victory and criticizing his predecessors.

While addressing the graduating cadets, Trump called for a new "golden age" for the military, free from diversity initiatives, and criticized past military engagements as unnecessary wars. He emphasized that the military's role is to "dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America."

In addition to his political and military commentary, Trump also offered unconventional personal advice, cautioning graduates against marrying "trophy wives" and citing a friend's regrettable experience as an example.

Trump has been criticized in the past for politicizing traditionally apolitical events. In 2018, he faced backlash for a Memorial Day tweet that highlighted his policy successes instead of honoring fallen soldiers. Similarly, in 2024, the US Army rebuked his campaign for filming a political video at Arlington National Cemetery without proper consent from all families of the service members buried there.

Trump's Memorial Day message underscores his tendency to inject politics into solemn or nonpartisan occasions, continuing to spark debate and controversy.