Veterans Condemn Trump Team’s Dispute at Arlington National Cemetery

WASHINGTON − A recent incident involving a member of Donald Trump’s entourage at Arlington National Cemetery has sparked outrage among veterans. A retired Army general described the altercation as “repugnant.”

According to two sources who spoke to USA TODAY, the confrontation occurred when a staff member from Trump’s team attempted to film in Section 60 of the cemetery, a location where photography is prohibited. This area is the final resting place for recently interred U.S. service members.

Footage from this section subsequently surfaced on a Trump campaign TikTok, which featured the former president criticizing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris—his rivals in the upcoming presidential election.

“Donald Trump has no right to use our most hallowed ground for his political aims,” expressed Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army combat veteran. He further shared his frustration, noting that many in the veteran community feel similarly outraged.

The incident took place on the same day Trump laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, commemorating the 13 Americans who lost their lives in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport three years ago amidst the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Following the wreath-laying, Trump, along with his team, accompanied the family members of a fallen soldier to his gravesite in Section 60. However, cemetery officials intervened, attempting to stop them from filming, given the regulations against photography.

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 400,000 individuals and is maintained by the U.S. Army. Patrick Murphy, a former Army undersecretary and current Pennsylvania representative, condemned the Trump campaign’s decision to shoot political material at such a sacred location, calling it a “new low.”

Wellman emphasized that Trump’s team should extend an apology for their actions instead of shifting blame onto the cemetery official who was enforcing federal regulations regarding photography.

In response to the incident, Trump’s spokesperson claimed that the group had secured permission to film in Section 60. However, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung referred to a cemetery official as “clearly suffering from a mental health episode” for attempting to block their activities. Arlington National Cemetery acknowledged that the incident occurred but confirmed that no charges had been pressed.

The campaign’s response, particularly its attack on the mental health of a respected cemetery official, intensified criticism from veterans and veteran advocacy organizations.

Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton, who serves as a senior adviser for the progressive political action committee VoteVets, labeled the campaign’s behavior at the cemetery as “nauseating.” Eaton, whose father is also buried in Section 60, recalled previous denials from Trump regarding derogatory remarks he allegedly made about World War I veterans, describing dead soldiers as “suckers” and “losers.”

Eaton stated, “They see no issue bringing partisan politics there, even if it means getting into physical altercations with cemetery staff. I truly cannot think of something more repugnant than starting a political fracas on land where Gold Star families mourn. Someone who would do that should never be Commander in Chief.”

Despite the controversy, some relatives of the service members who perished in the bombing invited Trump to the wreath-laying ceremony. They released a statement expressing gratitude for Trump’s acknowledgment of their loss and support amidst their grief.

Wellman reiterated the importance of adhering to legal obligations, insisting that even in honoring the fallen, there are laws preventing politicization of such sacred ground. He pointed out, “The families don’t get the right to make decisions for the other people buried there.”

Trump has long positioned himself as a champion for veterans; however, his statements have frequently drawn ire from the military community. For instance, he recently ignited backlash by suggesting that the civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom is “much better” than the military Medal of Honor because recipients of the latter are often severely injured or deceased.

Source: USA TODAY