WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in response to Donald Trump once again denigrating American servicemembers and belittling our military heroes who were injured or killed in the line of duty, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“Donald Trump’s repeated pattern of disgraceful insults about wounded warriors and their families is outrageous and a national embarrassment.  Someone who repeatedly belittles our military men and women and mocks wounded soldiers isn’t fit to be Commander-in-Chief.  Even Trump’s own White House Chief of Staff said the former President referred to our troops buried at a military cemetery as “losers and suckers.”  Members of both parties should condemn these insults and Trump should apologize to our brave men and women who risk their lives and make tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation and defend our freedoms.  Very few of them will ever win the Medal of Honor.  But all who serve honorably deserve our thanks and praise.  They deserve a president of high character who is worthy of their sacrifice.  Not someone like Donald Trump who avoided service and who callously and routinely insults the military and the memories of our fallen soldiers.”

Under U.S. Department of Defense rules, the Medal of Honor is awarded to servicemembers who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.”  The process often takes years of thorough, in-depth review at the highest levels.  There are currently 60 living recipients of the Medal of Honor.