On Tuesday night, Mr. Clark, a teacher, cited four politicians whom he described as “morally bankrupt” for using Aiden to advance their interests — Mr. Trump; Mr. Vance; Bernie Moreno, the Ohio Republican nominee for the Senate; and Representative Chip Roy, a Republican of Texas.
“They have spoken my son’s name and used his death for political gain,” he said from the podium.
“They can vomit all the hate they want about illegal immigrants, the border crisis and even untrue claims that fluffy cats are being ravaged and eaten by community members,” Mr. Clark said.
“They are not allowed, nor have they ever been allowed to mention Aiden Clark from Springfield, Ohio,” he continued.
“I will listen to them one more time to hear their apologies.”
In a statement sent to The Times in response to Mr. Clark’s criticism, Luke Schroeder, a spokesman for Mr. Vance, faulted Vice President Kamala Harris for the administration’s border policies and said that the Clark family was in Mr. Vance’s prayers.
Mr. Clark said that Aiden studied different cultures and accepted everyone. As his parent, he was committed to honoring his son’s memory in that spirit, he said.
“Sure we have our problems here in Springfield and in the U.S.,” he said. “But does Aiden Clark have anything to do with that?”
Ms. Clark, who is also a teacher, unfurled a red T-shirt emblazoned with #LiveLikeAiden on the back and held it up for the audience, which responded with applause. Then the couple exited the chambers.
Fucking ghouls.