Trump’s Disrespect at Arlington National Cemetery
Who allowed Trump to desecrate Arlington National Cemetery with his “thumbs-up” photo-op visit. It turns out Arlington staff tried to stop Trump’s actions—and one staff member was attacked by Trump campaign staffers.
Details of the Incident
You can read the disgraceful details in this article from NPR.
When Trump’s spokesman Stephen Cheung was asked for comment, he said (in part):
an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony
Accusing a staff member who tried to enforce Arlington’s rules of being mentally ill is completely in line with the awful, despicable attitude of Trump and his staff. Trump can do no wrong. Anyone who defies him has to be insulted and denigrated.
Arlington National Cemetery’s Statement
In a statement to NPR, Arlington National Cemetery said it “can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed.”
“Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidate’s campaign,” according to the statement. “Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants.”
Why This Matters
How can anyone with an ounce of decency support this cowardly moron pretending he gives a damn for our dead heroes?
Main Incident Overview
The incident at Arlington National Cemetery involved an altercation between Donald Trump’s campaign staff and a cemetery official during a wreath-laying ceremony on August 26, 2024. The ceremony was held to honor the third anniversary of the 2021 Kabul airport terrorist attack that killed 13 U.S. servicemen and women.
Key Points of the Incident
The following are the key points of the incident:
- Location and Purpose: The ceremony took place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where Trump was laying a wreath to commemorate the anniversary of the 2021 attack.
- Incident Details: Members of Trump’s campaign team allegedly verbally abused and physically pushed a cemetery official who was trying to prevent them from filming and taking photographs in an off-limits area where service members killed in action are buried.
- Legal Prohibitions: Federal law prohibits political campaign activities, including photography and content creation, within Army National Military Cemeteries. Arlington National Cemetery officials reinforced this law with all participants.
- Response from Trump Campaign: The Trump campaign disputed the allegations, accusing the cemetery official of experiencing a mental health episode and claiming there was no physical altercation as described.
- Official Statements: Arlington National Cemetery confirmed an incident occurred and a report was filed. The cemetery emphasized that only authorized personnel are permitted to capture photographs and videos in restricted areas.
Reactions and Statements
The incident has garnered significant attention and reaction from various parties:
- Trump Campaign Response: Senior Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita described the cemetery official as “a despicable individual” who was “dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces” and disrespecting everyone who paid the price for defending the country.
- Cemetery Official’s Role: The official was attempting to enforce the rules regarding photography and filming in the restricted area, which is designated for recent U.S. casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Public Backlash: Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu of California criticized Trump’s actions, stating that he “desecrated Arlington by conducting a distasteful campaign stunt over the grave of a fallen hero.” Lieu also described Trump’s campaign staff as “bullies.”
- Trump’s Statements: Trump blamed the 2021 attack on Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden, claiming their incompetence led to the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemen and hundreds of civilians, as well as the loss of $85 billion worth of military equipment to the Taliban.
Legal Context and Prohibitions
The incident highlights the legal context and prohibitions in place at Arlington National Cemetery:
- Federal Law Prohibitions: Federal regulations explicitly prohibit political campaign activities, including photography and content creation, within Army National Military Cemeteries.
- Cemetery Rules Enforcement: Arlington National Cemetery officials reinforced these prohibitions with all participants, emphasizing that only authorized personnel are allowed to capture photographs and videos in restricted areas.
- Incident Report: A report was filed regarding the altercation, and the cemetery confirmed that an incident occurred during Trump’s visit.
Trump Campaign’s Defense and Accusations
The Trump campaign has defended their actions and made accusations against the cemetery official:
- Mental Health Episode Claim: Trump communications director Steven Cheung accused the cemetery official of experiencing a mental health episode, stating that an unnamed individual “clearly suffering from a mental health episode decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony.”
- Private Photographer Permit: Cheung also pointed out that a private photographer was permitted on the premises, suggesting that the official’s actions were unreasonable.
- Footage Release Threat: The Trump campaign threatened to release footage if defamatory claims were made, but they have yet to release any evidence to support their claims.
Public Reaction and Criticism
The incident has sparked widespread public reaction and criticism:
- Political Backlash: The incident has been widely criticized by politicians and the public, with many accusing Trump of politicizing a solemn event and disrespecting the graves of fallen soldiers.
- Support for Trump: Some family members of the service members killed in the 2021 attack have expressed support for Trump and gratitude for his visit, which he shared on his Truth Social platform.
Historical Context and Previous Incidents
The incident at Arlington National Cemetery has drawn comparisons to previous incidents involving Trump and military cemeteries:
- 2018 Visit Cancellation: In 2018, Trump canceled a visit to a U.S. military cemetery near Paris due to concerns about rain affecting his hairstyle and because he referred to the deceased soldiers as “suckers” and “losers.” This incident highlighted Trump’s sensitivity to criticism and his handling of solemn events.
- 2021 Afghanistan Withdrawal: Trump has previously sought to leverage political gain from the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, a decision he approved during his presidency that unfolded in the first year of Joe Biden’s administration.
Conclusion
The incident at Arlington National Cemetery serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing political tensions and controversies surrounding Trump’s campaign activities. It underscores the importance of respecting the sanctity of military cemeteries and adhering to federal laws and regulations in place to maintain their dignity.
