Trump Call To Serviceman's Widow Described As 'Insensitive'

MIAMI, FL — The remains of fallen Miami hero La David T. Johnson had just arrived at Miami International Airport early Tuesday evening when his pregnant widow was escorted out on the tarmac to meet the silver casket. Myeshia Johnson placed her head on the flag that draped her childhood sweetheart's remains and openly wept across its crisp, red and white stripes. She then kissed the flag and accompanied her husband's hearse through an emotional procession marked by first responders along the route in a show of respect.

Moments earlier, the grief-stricken widow received a five-minute call from President Trump that a Miami-area congresswoman would later describe as "insensitive."

Sgt. Johnson was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, an Airbone group that was ambushed on Oct. 4 in southwest Niger by dozens of Islamic extremists. Initially, only three solders were reported to have died. But after an extensive search, Johnson's body was found two days later.

Watch: Trump Denies Account Of Comments To Fallen Soldier's Widow

"I heard what he said because the phone was on speaker," Rep. Frederica S. Wilson told CNN's Don Lemon of the president's call. "Basically, he said, 'Well, I guess he knew what he signed up for, but I guess it still hurts.' That's what he said."

The president tweeted a denial on Wednesday morning and claimed to have proof.

Myeshia Johnson and other family members were still reeling from the news that the casket of their fallen hero would have to remain closed, according to Wilson. "She has just lost her husband. She was just told that he cannot have an open casket funeral which gives her all kinds of nightmares — how his body must look, how his face must look — and this is what the president of the United States says to her," Wilson said.

Wilson said she wanted to confront Trump but was refused. "I asked them to give me the phone because I wanted to speak with him and I was going to curse him out," the Democrat told Lemon. "That was my reaction at that time. I was livid, but they would not give me the phone."

She recalled that Myeshia Johnson was inconsolable as the limousine made its way to the airport, though it was not clear how much of that was the result of the president's call.

"She was just crying. She couldn't say anything. The only thing she said when it was time to hang up was 'thank you. Good-bye.'"

The congresswoman's account was subsequently verified by Johnson's mother, who was also in the limousine at the time, according to a report in The Washington Post.

Wilson said that Johnson's family members don't understand how the green beret became separated from his fellow soldiers. She hopes to receive a classified briefing upon her return to Washington, D.C.

"There's no reason for the president to be so insensitive, not only to the family of this soldier but the impervious rhetoric, it's disrespectful to the family of every soldier that has paid the ultimate price for our freedom," Wilson added. "Our community is livid because this was our hero. We don't have many heroes in our young men in Miami-Dade County. But he was a hero for us. We don't like what was said and that is not something that you say to a grieving wife."

Also See: Rep. Frederica Wilson: Trump 'So Insensitive' To Soldier's Widow

Johnson, who like Wilson was African-American, is from Miami Gardens but was assigned to Fort Bragg, His death remains under investigation by the U.S. military.

Born on Jan. 2, 1992 to Samara Johnson and Terrance McGriff, Johnson was raised by Richard and Cowanda Johnson after his mother passed away in September of 1999.

"During his early years, La David was involved in many activities and enjoyed playing Optimist football at Risco Park," according to an obituary released by Fred Winter Memorial Services. He attended Miami-Dade County Public Schools and graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School in 2010. He studied mechanical engineering at AIT.

Johnson met his best friend and future wife during his early school years.

"They would go on to be wed on Aug 22, 2014 and together have three children — Ah'Leesya, Ladavid Jr and La'Shee," who has not yet been born, according to the obituary. Johnson's children are 2 and 6.

Before enlisting in the Army, Johnson worked in the produce department of a local Walmart, where "he would remove the front wheel of his bike and ride to and from work, earning him the nickname 'wheelie king,'" the obituary noted.

"He remained at Walmart until he made the decision to further his career with the United States military. He enlisted into the United States Army Jan. 28, 2014 where his leadership abilities continued to shine as he excelled in his career."

During his time in uniform, Johnson received the following medals and honors: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Basic, Air Assault Badge, Combat and Specific Skills Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Driver and Mechanics Badge.

He was killed during his second deployment to Africa, which began on Aug. 28.

A GoFundMe page had raised more than $140,000 toward a scholarship program for Johnson's children as of early Wednesday morning. The GoFundMe page said that the area where Johnson was killed was "overwhelmed by Boko Haram."

Johnson was a member of The 5000 Role Model of Excellence Project, which was created by Wilson, who also planned to establish a Role Model Army Sgt. La David T. Johnson Scholarship to benefit Johnson's children.

The defeat of Boko Haram has been a focus of Wilson since the group kidnapped 276 school girls from a boarding school in Nigeria five years ago.

Visitation is planned from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at Christ the Rock Community Church, 11000 Stirling Road, Cooper City, Florida. A service is also scheduled for 11 a.m Saturday at the same church.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images