Funeral held for US soldier caught in Trump controversy

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of US Army Sergeant La David Johnson, whose death prompted an "insensitive" response from President Donald Trump.

Sgt Johnson was one of four US soldiers killed in an ambush in Niger, West Africa, earlier this month.

The attack, which US officials suspect was carried out by a local Islamic State affiliate, has thrown a spotlight on the nation's counter-terrorism mission in Niger, which involves about 800 troops.

After initially offering only scant details of the Niger desert incident, the US military's Africa Command has since said the soldiers were in the area to establish relations with local leaders.

When questioned about his administration's relative silence on the deaths, Mr Trump said some of his predecessors "didn't do anything" to console relatives of fallen soldiers, drawing widespread criticism.

Last week, several people – including Sgt Johnson's pregnant widow and mother – accused the president of being insensitive during a phone call he made to them.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said that Mr Trump told the widow that Johnson "knew what he signed up for."

The Florida Democrat said she was in the car with the widow, Myeshia Johnson, on the way to Miami International Airport to meet the body when Mr Trump called.

Sgt Johnson's mother, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, told The Associated Press Wednesday that the congresswoman's account was correct.

The issue added to controversy over Mr Trump's response to military families who have lost loved ones.