During Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, a physical altercation reportedly occurred between the former president’s campaign team and cemetery staff. The incident took place in Section 60, the burial site for recent U.S. casualties. According to CNN’s Alina Tareen, the altercation stemmed from a dispute over the Trump campaign’s participation in wreath-laying ceremonies.
The controversy began when members of Trump’s team were blocked from participating in the ceremonies honoring the 13 fallen U.S. service members who died at Kabul’s Abbey Gate during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump later suggested on Truth Social that the disagreement was due to his campaign’s use of photography. He claimed that the families of the fallen soldiers had approved the presence of his official videographer and photographer to capture these solemn moments respectfully.
In response, Arlington National Cemetery stated that federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities at military cemeteries. This legal restriction is at the heart of the dispute. NPR reported that there was indeed a physical altercation, though Trump’s campaign denied this, acknowledging only that their team was prevented from attending the event.
Chris Lots, Trump’s co-campaign manager and a veteran, condemned the incident, describing it as a disgrace and a failure to honor the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. He emphasized that Trump’s visit was intended to honor the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers and criticized those who prevented Trump’s team from accompanying him.
The incident has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a respectful tribute to the fallen service members. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions surrounding political events at national memorials and raises questions about adherence to federal regulations designed to maintain the apolitical nature of such sacred sites.
