Overview

• President Donald Trump did not attend the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base for four U.S. soldiers who died during a training exercise in Lithuania, sending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his place.
• The soldiers, members of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, were honored in a solemn farewell ceremony in Lithuania attended by President Gitanas Nausėda and thousands of citizens.
• Critics, including veterans and military families, have condemned Trump’s decision to prioritize the LIV Golf dinner and tournament at his Doral resort, which is financially backed by Saudi Arabia.
• The dignified transfer ceremony, a deeply respected military tradition, was attended by Democratic senators Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and Chris Coons, who paid their respects to the fallen soldiers.
• The families of the soldiers had requested no media presence at the Dover ceremony, while Trump’s absence has reignited debates about his commitment to honoring military service members.