Former President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday was marred by a photography-related incident, according to a statement from the cemetery. While specific details were not provided, NPR reported that two Trump campaign officials were involved in a verbal and physical altercation with a cemetery staff member. The altercation allegedly occurred after the officials were asked not to take photos and videos in Section 60, where recent U.S. veterans are buried.
The Arlington National Cemetery released a statement confirming the incident but did not provide further information. It emphasized that federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within military cemeteries, including photography. The cemetery had made this law and its prohibitions clear to all participants. The statement acknowledged that a report had been filed regarding the incident.
Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, took to social media to share what he claimed was proof of the team’s approval to have an official photographer and videographer outside the main press pool. However, it should be noted that campaign officials, not professionals, were also taking photos and videos. Cheung denied the existence of a physical altercation and stated that the campaign was prepared to release footage to refute any defamatory claims.
Despite the controversy, the Trump campaign staffers posted multiple pictures and videos of Trump’s visit to Arlington Cemetery, including from Section 60. They used the moment to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris’ absence. Trump’s visit coincided with the third anniversary of the attack at Abbey Gate during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and he was there to pay tribute to the 13 U.S. service members killed in the incident.
In one video shared by the campaign’s senior adviser, Trump can be seen laying flowers on the grave of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, who died in the attack. The adviser wrote that Trump was speaking on the phone with Knauss’ family, who couldn’t attend the ceremony. Multiple other campaign staffers also shared photos from the visit, some of which were then posted on the campaign’s official social media account.
Prior to the event, the cemetery had explicitly stated that no Trump activity could be filmed during his visit to Section 60. The press pool note mentioned that the family visit to Section 60 would be private, and there would be no coverage allowed at that location. The pool was instructed to wait inside the press van during this visit.
Following NPR’s report, Cheung issued a statement denying the physical altercation and suggesting that someone had physically blocked Trump campaign officials. Chris LaCivita, a combat-wounded Marine and senior adviser to the campaign, emphasized that Trump was invited by the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families to honor their loved ones who sacrificed their lives for their country. He labeled the individual who attempted to block the campaign officials as “despicable.”
While the exact details of the incident remain unclear, it is evident that tensions arose at Arlington National Cemetery during Trump’s visit. The incident highlights the importance of respecting the rules and regulations in place to maintain the sanctity of military cemeteries. It also sheds light on the emotional significance of Section 60, where families mourn their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.
