My argument had nothing to do with what Trump said to the grieving widow.

It had to do with him politicizing the “sacred call” (as John Kelly put it) during his Rose Garden conference, which occurred a day or so before the call in question.

As you said, “Any reasonable person would be outraged”.

The words that seem to have created such angst were very close to the ones that Gen Kelly provided; which happened to be very close to the ones that were spoken to the General when his own son was killed in Afghanistan.

Trump did not shoot from the hip; he sought counsel from one who had personally experienced the pain; and then he tried to do right. The despicable Congress woman from Florida tried to turn his humanitarian outreach into something else for tawdry political purposes. Sadly, she epitomizes the small minded meaness of the Left today.

I do not blame Trump for being outraged. The General, who knows too well the pain of loss, was outraged. Any reasonable person would be outraged.

Presidents get blamed even when they don’t make a call….

After all, Trump (rather strangely imo..since the question he was responding to was about why he hasn’t commented on the soldiers recently killed by ISIS in Niger, not why hasn’t he called their families) said President Obama and many other presidents didn’t make calls.

Every excuse for Trump could apply to the Congresswoman. And every charge against Dems and the Congresswoman, is applicable to Trump.

Back in the day it was the CO of the unit, and the service – Navy/Army/Air Force/Marine – that wrote letters of condolences. The personal contact with the bereaved was done, and still is, by the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. (CACO) The CACO did everything possible to assist the bereaved family – a very difficult job, but the least the nation can do for the next of kin.

I have written letters of condolences to families of fellow Naval Aviators. A difficult job, but nothing compared to being a CACO. I served in an office where two of our officers were assigned as CACOs. It was a grueling assignment. I could see the way helping others with their grief and losses took a distinct toll. I was transferred out before my turn at CACO duty came up. I felt relief at not having to serve in that billet.

It is prima facie evidence of the Dems extreme hatred for Trump that they would bring this up. This is a matter of privacy for the family and for the President – once hallowed ground. Now there is no low to which they won’t stoop if they think they can damage Trump. Though it might seem unseemly, I don’t blame Trump for defending himself. Unwarranted accusations that are unanswered become narratives that are used against the President or whoever is the target of the MSM and progressive cabal. An unchallenged lie repeated often enough quickly becomes a narrative.

Give ’em hell. I too often question djt, but actually admire his in your face actions. He is a buffoon thin skinned, and a wild child. Perhaps that is why he won the electoraal college. I have for many decades been frustrated and seriously PO’ed being ruled by the metro areas and their faux marxist ideology. Trump tapped into that frustration. Not a supporter until election night, now willing to cut him a few miles of slack.

To extend DNW’s comments, I have been in a position to observe, and even be the target for, the irrational reaction of someone who has just learned of the violent death of a loved one. Dealing with them under the circumstances is akin to walking into a mine field. Yet sometimes it must be done.

I have mixed feelings about many of Trump’s public statements; but, I will certainly not fault him for responding strongly when attacked unjustly. I well remember many lamenting that G.W. Bush (and his father as well) did not respond vigorously to the incessant attacks. In fact, I am almost certain that I read those sentiments on this very forum. So, possibly, even likely, Trump errs in the other direction. Big deal.

There is an excellent essay that is related to the topic of Trump’s persona by Prof Jean Yarbrough at https://www.city-journal.org/html/trump-and-tocqueville-15482.html