Trump’s Arlington National Cemetery Controversy Explained

The Trump campaign’s actions during Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery last Monday sparked a controversy that has lasted for days and there is no end in sight.

In part, the controversy is about the law: Federal law prohibits campaign or election events at military cemeteries. More broadly, it is another example of Trump flouting long-standing rules of decorum and moral behavior — angering many, but not everyone.

Trump’s team apparently wanted to use the visit to the military cemetery for political gain. When a cemetery worker tried to stop a Trump campaign aide from taking photos and filming near the military graves, a Trump aide pushed her aside forcefully.

Additionally, after news of the incident leaked, Trump campaign aides viciously insulted cemetery workers with shockingly personal attacks.

In one fell swoop, the Trump team violated norms against politicizing veterans’ sacrifice, shoving others around, and engaging in ugly personal attacks.

The Trump campaign defended itself by saying that the families of the soldiers who were honored that day did not protest his actions. Several of them Already defended Trump, they invited Trump to the cemetery in the first place, in part because They accused Biden’s handling of the Afghan withdrawal is responsible for the deaths of their loved ones.

Monday is August 26, 2021. Kabul airport attack — A suicide bombing killed 13 American soldiers during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Some of the victims’ families blamed the attack on the Biden administration’s handling of the troop withdrawal and its alignment with the Trump campaign – including appearances on At the Republican National Convention in July. When they planned an event at Arlington Cemetery to mark the third anniversary of the attacks, they invited Trump.

As it is the presidential campaign season, and Trump has long criticized the Biden administration’s deal with In the aftermath of the Afghan withdrawal, U.S. defense officials worried that the event could become inappropriately or even illegally political. The Washington Post reported —This is a campaign in disguise.

So officials put in place some restrictions. One was that Trump could not bring his campaign staff. Another was that Trump could not visit veterans’ graves in a section of the cemetery after the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier had its initial ceremony open to the media. Reserved primarily for Iraq and Afghanistan veteranswill be private.

But Trump brought campaign aides with him anyway. Two of the aides — a campaign photographer and a videographer — tried to accompany Trump to their respective graves. An Arlington Cemetery worker tried to stop the aides, but According to the Post“A larger male campaign aide insisted that cameras be allowed and pushed past the cemetery staff, much to her surprise.” According to National Public RadioAfterwards, Trump campaign staff also “insulted” the official.

After the ceremony, the Trump campaign organized a press conference where several family members of soldiers killed in Kabul praised Trump and criticize Biden and Harris.

News of the altercation became public on Tuesday, when NPR reported the incident. Trump campaign spokesman claim They were allowed to bring a photographer.

They also claimed that cemetery staff were not under any pressure – but mocked her viciously. Trump spokesman Zhang Zhiwei insisted that she “clearly suffers from Mental health incidents” and co-campaign manager Chris LaCivita called her “despicable.” (Her name has not been made public. The New York Times reported Military officials “concerned that if the employee’s identity became known, she would face retaliation from Trump supporters.”)

Trump’s team also Issued a statement Several family members of two soldiers killed in the Kabul attack said in a statement: “We have approved President Trump’s official photographer and videographer to attend the event.” (The family members’ permission, however, has nothing to do with federal law prohibiting campaign activities at cemeteries.)

The family went on to say in the statement: “The president and his team behaved with utmost respect and dignity.”

Also in attendance was Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican. Posted a photo Trump stood in front of the grave with some veterans and their families and gave a thumbs-up.

Trump’s team then Made a TikTok video It included footage of grave-sweeping, with Trump’s voiceover blaming the deaths of veterans on the Biden administration — an apparent attempt to use the event for political ends.

The family of a Green Beret whose grave was featured in the photos and video but who was not killed in the Kabul attack issued a statement Expressing concern Trump’s aides did not follow the rules regarding filming and taking photos at the cemetery.

On Thursday, the U.S. Army, which manages Arlington National Cemetery, Published his statement supported cemetery staff and claimed she was indeed “shoved aside” for trying to ensure compliance with a ban on political activity at the cemetery.

“This incident is regrettable and it is equally regrettable that ANC staff and their professionalism have been unfairly attacked,” the statement said. However, the statement went on to say that the employee decided not to press charges and the Army now “considers this matter closed.”