Trump to Join First Lady and Cabinet at Dover for Soldiers' Remains

Six U.S. soldiers killed in Kuwait attack to be honored in dignified transfer ceremony

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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President Trump confirmed he will travel to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday to receive the remains of six U.S. soldiers killed in an attack in Kuwait. The president will be joined by the First Lady and members of his Cabinet for the dignified transfer ceremony.

Why it matters

The deaths of the six soldiers, who were stationed at a secure facility in Kuwait, have sparked a debate over how the media is covering the incident and its broader implications for U.S. operations against Iran. The president and his administration have pushed back against what they see as biased coverage aimed at making the president look bad.

The details

The six soldiers killed were identified as Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45; Chief Warrant Officer Three Robert M. Marzan, 54; Capt. Cody Khork; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor; Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens; and Sgt. Declan Coady. They were stationed at a makeshift office space in Shuaiba Port, Kuwait, when Tehran struck. Pentagon officials have described the site as a 'secure facility fortified with 6-foot walls,' raising questions about how the attack was able to occur.

  • The dignified transfer ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who will be traveling to Dover Air Force Base to receive the remains of the six soldiers killed in Kuwait.

Melania Trump

The First Lady of the United States who will be accompanying the President to the dignified transfer ceremony.

Pete Hegseth

The Secretary of Defense who has pushed back against media coverage of the incident, arguing that the U.S. has seized dominance over Iran's airspace and waterways without a ground invasion, an extraordinary projection of force that has been underreported.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House Press Secretary who engaged in a sharp exchange with CNN's Kaitlan Collins over the media's coverage of the incident.

Kaitlan Collins

A CNN reporter who pressed the White House Press Secretary on the administration's response to the media coverage of the incident.

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What they’re saying

“I will be going to Dover Air Force Base tomorrow, with the First Lady and Members of my Cabinet, to pay our Highest Respect to our Great Warriors, who are returning home for the last time.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)

“We've taking control of Iran's airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. We control their fate. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen it's front page news. I get it, the press only wants to make the president look bad, but try for once to report the reality.”

— Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense (The Hill)

“The press does only want to make the President look bad. That's a fact. Especially you, and especially CNN.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary (CNN)

What’s next

The investigation into the attack in Kuwait that killed the six soldiers is ongoing.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the media over the coverage of U.S. military operations and the loss of American lives. While mourning the fallen soldiers is paramount, the debate over the framing and context of the coverage has become a point of contention.