Trump to send Hegseth to Dover ceremony for remains of US soldiers
President Trump will not attend the dignified transfer of four American soldiers who died during a training exercise in Lithuania last week, instead sending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Dover Air Force Base, Del., while he remains in Florida.
Hegseth's attendance was confirmed by the White House on Friday. Trump will not travel back for the transfer and remain in Mar-a-Lago where he is playing golf and later will hold a political fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
When asked for a comment about the president not attending the transfer, press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to Hegseth's attendance.
'The Secretary of Defense will represent the Administration at the dignified transfer for the four brave U.S. servicemembers who tragically died during a training exercise in Lithuania,' Leavitt said.
Vice President Vance is also not expected to attend, according to his office.
A group of senators reportedly will attend, including the Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D_Ill.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.).
Four U.S. soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division likely died on March 25 after their M88 Hercules vehicle became submerged in a bog during training in Lithuania. The incident happened at the expansive General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė, close to the border with Belarus.
The bodies of three of the soldiers were initially recovered Monday after a massive, nearly week-long effort to dig the vehicle out, with the fourth soldier found on Tuesday.
The four men were later identified as Troy Knutson-Collins, 28, of Battle Creek, Mich.; Jose Duenez Jr., 25, of Joliet, Ill.; Edvin Franco, 25, of Glendale, Calif.; and Dante Taitano, 21, of Dededo, Guam.
An administration official told The Hill that the families of the fallen soldiers requested no media be present at the transfer and that the White House is requesting their respect for privacy. Officials have also been working on correspondence to the families.
One of the most solemn traditions in U.S. military protocol, the dignified transfer is a chance for the president to publicly honor fallen service members.
Trump last traveled to Dover when he was president in Oct. 2020 for the ceremony honoring the return of the remains of two U.S. service members killed in Afghanistan. He also went to Dover in January 2019 to meet with the families of four Americans who were killed in an explosion in Syria.
His absence at Friday's transfer is all the more stark given that Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda attended a departure ceremony in Vilnius on Thursday as the four soldiers' remains were repatriated.
'In the heart of Vilnius, leaders, Allies, and many supporters gathered in remembrance, honoring the four U.S. Soldiers who are finally returning to their families,' the U.S. Embassy in Vilnius said in a post to X. 'In this time of profound sorrow, we are reminded of the indomitable bond between our nations. The compassion, respect, and unwavering support demonstrated by Lithuania and all who stood with us will echo for years to come.'
Trump is expected to attend 'a MAGA Inc. Candelight Dinner' at his club in Palm Beach later on Friday, according to the White House.
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