This was unexpected.
The Trump campaign has recently accused an Arlington National Cemetery official of causing a disturbance during former President Trump’s visit to the cemetery on Monday. The visit was intended to honor the anniversary of the Kabul airport attack, which tragically claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members amid the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
According to NPR, the controversy began when a photographer associated with Trump’s team was present at the cemetery, raising concerns about political activities in a military setting. Arlington National Cemetery confirmed that an incident occurred and a report was filed but did not disclose further specifics.
The cemetery’s statement highlighted that federal law strictly forbids any political or election-related activities within its grounds, including photography or filming by campaign-associated individuals. They emphasized that this rule had been clearly communicated to all parties involved.
An anonymous source reported to NPR that a cemetery official attempted to prevent Trump’s staff from taking photos and videos in Section 60, where soldiers who died in Afghanistan and Iraq are buried. The source claimed that Trump’s team disregarded the official’s attempts to enforce the rules and continued their activities.
Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, refuted claims of a physical altercation, describing the situation as a misunderstanding. Cheung alleged that a private photographer was authorized to be on site, and any attempt to block the team was due to an individual acting inappropriately rather than a deliberate conflict.
Chris LaCivita, a senior advisor to the Trump campaign and a Marine veteran, accused those spreading negative reports of dishonoring the memory of fallen service members and disrespecting their sacrifices.
In support of Trump’s conduct, the campaign released statements from the families of Darin Taylor Hoover and Nicole Gee, two of the service members who died in the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing. These family members praised Trump for his respectful and dignified approach during his visit.
On the anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and later visited Section 60 with the families of the fallen heroes. Although this segment was closed to the media, a photo shared by Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) showed Trump and some family members in a positive light.
The Trump campaign continues to use the Afghanistan withdrawal as a key point of criticism against President Biden and his administration, branding it as a significant failure. This criticism has been sustained even as Biden’s role in the withdrawal was scrutinized, particularly by Vice President Harris’s acknowledgment of her involvement in the decision-making process.
At last month’s Republican National Convention, family members of the fallen soldiers voiced their dissatisfaction with President Biden’s handling of the situation and expressed gratitude for Trump’s support during their time of loss.
