The U.S. military says a staff member was “abruptly pushed aside” during a ceremony attended by former President Trump and his campaign during a ceremony Monday at Arlington National Cemetery, but that the campaign member will not face charges.
The incident took place at a ceremony honoring the 13 U.S. soldiers killed in an attack on Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The military confirmed reports of an altercation between at least one Trump campaign official and a cemetery staffer.
“Participants in the Aug. 26 ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were informed of federal laws, Army regulations and Department of Defense policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure compliance with these regulations was abruptly removed,” the Army said in a statement.
“In keeping with the decorum expected of the ANC, this employee acted professionally and prevented further problems. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH Police Department, but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed,” the statement continued.
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The U.S. military says a staff member was “abruptly shoved aside” by a member of former President Trump’s campaign during a ceremony Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. (Getty Images)
“This incident was regrettable, and it is also regrettable that the ANC employee and her professionalism were unfairly targeted. The ANC is a national shrine to the fallen of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure that public ceremonies are held with the dignity and respect due to the nation’s fallen,” the Army added.
The cemetery has a long-standing federal ban on the use of its property by political campaigns, and cemetery staff had warned that campaign staff could not use the event to take photos or videos.
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Trump took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 US service members during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Pool)
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said the staffer who blocked campaign photographers appeared to be suffering from a “mental health episode.” He also said the campaign had been given permission to bring a photographer.
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“The fact is that a private photographer was allowed into the venue and for some reason, an anonymous individual, who was clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony,” he said.
Trump attended the event at the invitation of the families of the fallen soldiers, who thanked him for attending. (Pool)
Trump attended the event at the invitation of the families of the fallen soldiers, who thanked him for attending in a statement.
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“We are deeply grateful to the President for taking the time to honor our children and for joining us in our grief, offering his unwavering support during such a difficult time,” five of the family members wrote after the event. “His compassion and respect meant more than words can express.”
