Arlington National Cemetery Reports ‘Incident’ at Event Organized by Trump Team

Arlington National Cemetery has confirmed an “incident” occurred during former President Donald Trump’s visit on Monday, which involved a report being filed. Details regarding the incident were shared with ABC News, highlighting tensions between Trump campaign officials and cemetery staff.

According to NPR’s report, two campaign officials were involved in a verbal and physical confrontation with an Arlington Cemetery employee. This altercation reportedly arose after they were asked to refrain from taking photos and videos in Section 60, where many recent U.S. veterans are interred.

In a statement to ABC News, a representative from the cemetery acknowledged that an incident had taken place but offered no specific details about the event. The statement emphasized that federal regulations prohibit any political campaign activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, which includes restrictions on photography and content creation related to partisan campaigns. The rules had been clearly communicated to all attendees, and a report documenting the incident has been filed.

Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, responded by posting on X, presenting evidence showing the team’s authorization to have an official photographer and videographer outside the main press pool. A screengrab shared by Cheung seemed to indicate that only Trump was allowed to utilize a photographer or videographer beyond the main media pool.

However, Cheung’s claim didn’t address that campaign staffers, who were not professional media members, were reportedly taking photos and videos during the event.

Following news of the alleged incident, Cheung asserted there was “no physical altercation” as described by NPR, and he indicated they would be ready to release footage to counter any defamatory claims made regarding their conduct.

During Trump’s visit, his campaign staff shared numerous photos and videos, featuring him at Arlington, including in Section 60. They used this opportunity to criticize Vice President Kamala Harris for her absence on a significant day. Trump’s visit marked the third anniversary of the tragic attack at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, a devastating event that cost the lives of 13 U.S. Service members.

In a video posted by senior Trump adviser Chris LaCivita, Trump was seen laying flowers on the gravestone of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, one of the U.S. servicemen who died during the attack. LaCivita mentioned that Trump was speaking by phone with Knauss’ family, who were unable to attend the ceremony.

Additional campaign staffers also shared images from the cemetery, some of which were later reposted through the official Trump campaign account on X.

Before Trump’s arrival, cemetery officials had reiterated that no campaigning or filming activities could take place during his visit to Section 60. According to notes from the press pool, the family visit to Section 60 would be private, and at their explicit request, there would be no coverage. Reporters were instructed to remain inside the press van during this portion of the visit.

After NPR released its report, Cheung reaffirmed that there was no physical altercation involved in the incident, alleging that someone had attempted to block members of Trump’s team. LaCivita, a combat-wounded Marine, remarked that Trump was visiting at the invitation of Gold Star Families from Abbey Gate to pay tribute to their fallen loved ones. He labeled the actions of the individual who tried to obstruct Trump’s team as “despicable.”