Summary
Donald Trump will not attend the dignified transfer of four U.S. soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will represent the administration at Dover Air Force Base. Critics noted Trump’s rare attendance at such ceremonies, citing just four appearances during his first term.
The soldiers’ remains were found in a peat bog after a March 25 accident.
Trump is instead scheduled to attend a dinner at Mar-a-Lago. Lithuania’s president honored the fallen at a repatriation ceremony, drawing contrast with Trump’s absence.
It has become a tradition for presidents to do it, but it’s not part of actual customs and curtesies. You’re really not supposed to salute out of uniform. You are supposed to salute an officer if you know they’re an officer and you are in uniform, but if they’re in civilian clothes, they’re not supposed to salute back. Instead, just give an at ease.