Media access to most dignified transfers was prohibited from 1991 to 2009. Since March 2009, media attendance is predicated on the consent of the surviving family of the deceased. Coverage is further restricted only to personnel who died in the line of duty supporting certain operations, such as
Enduring Freedom,
Iraqi Freedom and
Inherent Resolve. On August 29, 2021, President
Joe Biden and
First Lady Jill Biden attended the dignified transfer of 13 service members killed in the
2021 Kabul airport attack in Kabul, Afghanistan. On March 7, 2026, President
Donald Trump attended the dignified transfer of the first six service members killed in the
2026 Iran War. The president's decision to wear a white
baseball cap emblazoned with the letters "
USA" drew criticism for showing lack of respect for the fallen. == References ==