Trump Staff Flout Law At Arlington, Staff Gets Into Physical Fight

Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON, DC (REUTERS) – Two members of the Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign staff had a “verbal and physical altercation” with an Arlington National Cemetery official during a visit by the candidate this week, NPR reported on August 27.

“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,” the cemetery said.

Trump on August 26 participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery honoring the 13 servicemembers killed during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

NPR reported that when a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump campaign staffers from filming and photographing in an area where servicemembers are buried, the Trump staff “verbally abused and pushed the official aside.”

Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung disputed the report. “There was no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made,” Cheung said.

No footage was made available despite several requests from the media.

Arlington National Cemetery confirmed in a statement that an incident had occurred and that a report had been filed.