SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's Republican Gov. Spencer Cox came under criticism Wednesday for sending a campaign email that featured a photo of him and former President Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery during a wreath-laying ceremony.
Federal law prohibits campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, and that rule was widely shared before the Monday ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery said Wednesday.
Cox’s campaign apologized for using the photo and for politicizing the graveside ceremony, which honored Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover of Utah, one of 13 service members killed in an airport bombing during the Afghanistan War withdrawal three years ago. The email was soliciting donations for Cox's reelection bid.
“This was not a campaign event and was never intended to be used by the campaign,” the governor wrote in a post on X. “It did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent.”
Trump's campaign faced its own blowback over an altercation between his staff and a cemetery worker who tried to stop the team from filming and photographing at the burial site. The former president had been invited to attend by some of the families of the fallen service members. His campaign officials had been warned before their arrival and the altercation that photography would not be permitted in that section of the cemetery, a defense official told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Cox recently surprised voters when he pledged his support to Trump after the president's July assassination attempt, despite saying days earlier on CNN that he hadn’t voted for Trump in 2016 or 2020 and would not cast a ballot for him again this year.
Cox’s sudden embrace of Trump, who has not endorsed him back, represents a puzzling departure from his carefully curated persona as a Mitt Romney -esque moderate.
His state is a rare Republican stronghold that has half-heartedly supported Trump, whose brash style and comments about refugees and immigrants do not sit well with many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About half of Utah’s 3.4 million residents belong to the faith known widely as the Mormon church.
The endorsement came a month after Cox breezed to victory in the primary over ardent Trump supporter Phil Lyman, who espoused false claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election.
Cox is expected to comfortably win reelection in November in the Republican-dominated state.
In addition to criticism in the comments of his social media accounts, Cox’s opponent in November, Democratic state Rep. Brian King, said it was disrespectful for Trump and Cox to use a veterans’ memorial event as a campaign photo op. He called on the Republican governor to rescind his Trump endorsement.
Misty Fuoco, front left, sister of Nicole Gee, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump place their hands over their heart after placing a wreath in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Misty Fuoco, left, sister of Nicole Gee, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump place their hands over their heart after placing a wreath in honor of Sgt. Nicole Gee, at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart left, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in honor of the 13 service members killed at Abbey Gate, at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Va. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
FILE - Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the 2024 summer meeting of the National Governors Association Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven innings of three-hit ball in another sharp start, and Yordan Alvarez homered and drove in two runs in the Houston Astros ' 5,000th victory, 5-3 over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
Kikuchi (9-9) overcame early trouble and struck out six Angels while keeping the Astros unbeaten in all of his starts since joining Houston in a trade with Toronto. Houston gave up three prospects for Kikuchi, who is grateful to general manager Dana Brown for believing in him.
“I heard a lot of what fans had to say” about the trade, Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “But I think our GM made an awesome decision. I just wanted to prove to everybody what I'm capable of. ... I wasn't pitching that well in Toronto just before the deadline, so I was shocked a little bit. But once I got here, I was able to put the past behind me.”
Kikuchi is 5-0 in an Astros uniform, and Houston is 8-0 when he takes the mound. He's a big reason the Astros are rolling toward yet another AL West title after struggling early in the season. Kikuchi and two relievers combined to hold Los Angeles to three hits.
“He's been really good,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We knew that it was in there. I'm just glad that he's been receptive and been able to be open about the adjustments we wanted him to make, and pitch usage and stuff like that. But the arm has always been there. It just feels like he's been here for many, many years. I hope he just keeps going.”
Alex Bregman hit an early two-run homer and Alvarez added his 33rd in the ninth inning for the first-place Astros, who opened a six-game Southern California trip with their second straight win after a three-game skid.
Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 30th save as the Astros became the 18th big league club to reach 5,000 victories.
Mickey Moniak homered for the Angels, who have lost five of six.
Rookie Samuel Aldegheri (1-2) couldn’t get out of the third inning in his third major league start for the Angels, yielding four runs on six hits and five walks while recording only six outs.
“Just couldn't find his command,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Couldn't hit his spots. Couldn't throw any pitch with consistency. That's not him.”
Houston scored twice in the second with two singles followed by two walks and Alvarez's sacrifice fly.
The Astros then got three hits on Aldegheri's first three pitches in the third inning. After Kyle Tucker singled, Bregman hit his 23rd homer and Jeremy Peña doubled.
Kikuchi issued back-to-back walks to begin the third, and Los Angeles scored on Zach Neto's groundout and Nolan Schanuel's single.
Moniak's solo shot to right in the fourth was just his second career homer against a left-hander. It was also the former No. 1 overall pick's 14th homer of the season, matching his career high.
Alvarez's homer was a line drive that went in and out of Moniak's glove when the center fielder leaped at the wall to attempt what would have been a spectacular catch. The homer was Alvarez's fifth in September.
Hader recorded 30 saves for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in his career.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: INF Jose Altuve returned from a one-game absence with discomfort in his right side. He drove the first pitch of the game into left field, but was easily thrown out at second while trying to stretch it into a double.
Angels: 2B Brandon Drury sat out after leaving Wednesday's game in the fifth inning with hamstring tightness. ... RHP Ben Joyce is still awaiting the results of his MRI exam Thursday. The 105-mph hurler hasn't pitched since Sept. 6 after reporting shoulder discomfort.
UP NEXT
Justin Verlander (3-6, 5.30 ERA) takes the mound for Houston after struggling in his past two starts in September. Los Angeles sends out All-Star Tyler Anderson (10-12, 3.50 ERA), who beat the Astros earlier this year for his only victory in nine career starts against them.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Samuel Aldegheri throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Astros' Alex Bregman celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. Kyle Tucker also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Astros' Mauricio Dubón (14) bunt pops out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Angels' Mickey Moniak celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Angels' Jack López (10) scores as a throw gets past Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini, left, during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
