Trump Honors Fallen Heroes with Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery on Inauguration Eve
Trump and Vance were joined by the president-elect’s family and Cabinet nominees during the wreath-laying ceremony.
On January 19, President-elect Donald Trump arrived at Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, marking the eve of his second inauguration.
Trump’s motorcade reached Arlington National Cemetery around 1:20 p.m. ET on Sunday. He was accompanied by his daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, son Donald Trump Jr., and daughter-in-law Tiffany. Additionally, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations nominee Elise Stefanik, and Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard joined the president-elect and his family.
Alongside Trump, his family, Cabinet nominees, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, was Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, a wounded soldier who lost an arm and a leg due to injuries sustained during the bombing at Kabul airport in 2021.
Incoming White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, legal adviser Boris Epshteyn, and Trump aide Natalie Harp were also present, as they stood in silent reflection in front of the tomb.
Trump and Vance both brought wreaths to lay at the tomb, alongside a wreath carried out by three soldiers in uniform. The president-elect saluted while Vance, a military veteran, placed his hand over his heart.
At 1:39 p.m., following a drum roll, a uniformed soldier played “Taps” on a bugle, prompting Vargas-Andrews to wipe tears from his eyes. After the performance, Trump and Vance ascended the steps away from the tomb.
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After the ceremony, the group visited Section 60 of the cemetery to pay their respects at the graves of three soldiers killed at Abbey Gate, spending nearly 30 minutes with their families, including a fourth family related to a fallen soldier named Schurer.
Trump, Melania, Vance, and his wife Usha moved from grave to grave, with Trump placing what appeared to be gold-colored challenge coins on each of the four headstones, while Melania laid lilies at each site.
The group began their visit at Schurer’s grave, followed by those of Nicole Gee and Ryan Knauss. One woman was seen weeping as she embraced one of the headstones.
The last grave they visited belonged to Darin Taylor Hoover. Trump engaged with Hoover’s family while an aide held an umbrella over him. Finally, the group gathered for a photo while standing behind Hoover’s headstone.
Prior to the ceremony, Trump had a private meeting with several Republican senators during a breakfast at Blair House, the president’s official guest residence, providing top Republican leaders with a final opportunity for discussions just hours before Trump’s second inauguration.
“January 20th cannot come fast enough!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Everyone, including those who initially opposed President Donald J. Trump’s victory and his administration, just wants it to happen.”
Due to forecasts of dangerously low temperatures in Washington on Monday, Trump made the decision to move the inauguration ceremony indoors to the Capitol Rotunda.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
