Donald Trump found himself in hot water on Wednesday following reports that his team got into a scuffle with staff during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery, a sacred site where America’s war dead are laid to rest.
According to National Public Radio, tensions flared when an Arlington official attempted to stop Trump’s aides from filming in a section of the cemetery reserved for those who died in recent conflicts, an area where such activities are strictly prohibited. The report claims that Trump’s staff responded by shoving and verbally attacking the employee.
On Wednesday, Arlington National Cemetery confirmed there was an “incident” during Trump’s visit on Monday. The former president, along with top campaign aides, was there for a wreath-laying ceremony with the families of 13 service members who were killed three years ago during the final hours of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which ended a two-decade war.
The families invited Trump to the ceremony, and he used the occasion to criticize President Joe Biden’s handling of the withdrawal, a key issue in his campaign for re-election. Trump has argued that he would have managed the situation better, despite the fact that the withdrawal was set in motion by a peace deal his own administration signed with the Taliban in 2020.
After the Arlington visit, Trump’s campaign shared a photo of him with the grieving families, giving a thumbs-up. This sparked more controversy, as Arlington National Cemetery reminded everyone that federal law forbids political activities, including filming, on its grounds.
Chris LaCivita, Trump’s campaign co-manager, pushed back, accusing a “despicable individual” of blocking Trump’s team. He condemned the action as a disgrace, saying it was unworthy of Arlington’s sacred grounds.
Trump also posted a statement on social media from the families involved in the 2021 Kabul bombing, saying they had agreed to the presence of his media team.
This incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding Trump’s relationship with the military. While he often speaks of his support for the armed forces, his former chief of staff has claimed that Trump privately mocked fallen soldiers and avoided being seen near military amputees.
