Former CIA Director Michael Hayden hit President Trump for canceling a visit to a U.S. military cemetery in France after bad weather grounded Trump’s helicopter.
“I AM a grandfather, older than the President, and was with my wife at an American cemetery in rainy France yesterday,” tweeted Hayden, who has been a vocal critic of the president, on Sunday.
The retired U.S. Air Force general was replying to a Twitter user who defended Trump’s decision to not appear at the cemetery.{mosads}
“I want to say this How would you like your Grandfather to go out in the rain and get sick? You wouldn’t,” read the tweet. “But you HATERS want the OLDEST ELECTED President to go out in pouring rain and get sick and die. Then you EVIL SICK SOCIALISTS CAN DANCE ON HIS GRAVE! SAD!”
According to ABC News, Trump missed the cemetery visit because his helicopter was unable to take off in the rain.
Trump was scheduled to lay a wreath and observe a moment of silence at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial.
Hayden in a later tweet called Trump’s behavior on Veterans Day “grossly inappropriate.”
On Sunday, Trump delivered remarks honoring the American and French soldiers who died in World War I during ceremonies marking the 100-year anniversary of the war’s conclusion.
“The American and French patriots of World War I embody the timeless virtues of our two republics. Honor and courage. Strength and valor. Love and loyalty, grace and glory,” Trump said at the Suresnes American Cemetery outside of Paris amidst a light rain.
“It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and to protect the peace they so nobly gave their lives to secure one century ago.”
— This report was updated at 1:52 p.m.