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On Monday, two members of former President Donald Trump’s campaign staff were involved in a “verbal and physical altercation” with an Arlington National Cemetery official during a wreath-laying ceremony, according to NPR. The confrontation reportedly occurred in Section 60, where recent U.S. casualties are interred and where political campaign activities are prohibited.
The incident unfolded when Trump’s staff attempted to film in this restricted area. An unnamed source familiar with the situation claimed that when the cemetery official intervened, the campaign staff verbally abused and physically pushed the official aside. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed the occurrence and reiterated that federal law forbids political campaign activities in Army National Cemeteries, including photography and filming.
The Trump campaign has disputed these claims, with spokesperson Steven Cheung denying any physical altercation took place. Cheung described the cemetery official’s actions as unwarranted and attributed the dispute to what he characterized as a “mental health episode.” He also mentioned that a private photographer was on site and suggested that the campaign is prepared to release footage to counter the allegations.
Trump’s visit was timed to mark the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack, which resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. Trump has criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, using the anniversary to highlight what he describes as mishandling by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.