CNN
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The US military issued a strong rebuke to former president Donald Trump’s campaign for the event on Monday at Arlington National Cemetery, saying in a statement Thursday that participants in the ceremony “have been made aware of federal regulations” regarding the operation of the politics in the grave. and suddenly pushed aside the grave-digger.
“Participants at the August 26 ceremony and subsequent visit to Section 60 were briefed on government laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities at cemeteries. An ANC official who tried to ensure that these rules are followed was immediately removed,” an Army spokesman said in a statement Thursday. Section 60 is a cemetery reserved for the graves of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that an ANC worker and his dignity have been unfairly attacked. The ANC is a national sanctuary for the honored dead of the Army, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure that public ceremonies are held with the dignity and respect they deserve in the country,” the statement said.
An Army spokesman said when the incident was reported to the police department at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, the employee in question “decided not to press charges” so the Army “considers this matter closed.”
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Haberman shares new report on Trump’s Arlington National Cemetery controversy
The Army’s statement is a rare rebuke from the military’s reluctance to intervene in political affairs. It is also not the first time that there have been conflicts involving Trump regarding the military as his campaign sought to make the US withdrawal from Afghanistan under the Biden administration a key election issue.
Asked about the Army’s statement Thursday, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the Defense Department is “aware of the statement that the Army put out, and we support what the Army said.”
Trump was visiting a cemetery after a wreath was placed in honor of 13 members of the US military who were killed at the Abbey Gate in Kabul airport in Afghanistan three years ago.
A video of the visit released by the Trump campaign on TikTok showed a video of the former president walking through Arlington and visiting cemeteries, with his voice criticizing the Biden administration’s “disaster” of the Afghanistan withdrawal. .
Accounts of Monday’s incident are mixed, with the Trump campaign insisting there was no crime, while cemetery officials said they were told in advance to avoid political activity.
NPR first reported that there was a “verbal and physical altercation” during the cemetery visit. A source with knowledge of the incident told the agency that a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump’s team from taking photos and filming at the site where the latest American victims are buried. In response, Trump campaign staff “cussed and pushed the official aside,” according to NPR.
Trump’s spokesman, Steven Cheung, denied allegations of a physical altercation, but said an unnamed person decided to “restrain members of President Trump’s entourage during a critical event.” Cheung suggested that Trump’s team has video to back up that claim, although no video of the incident has yet been released.
Trump campaign manager Chris LaCivita shared a similar account with CNN, saying in a statement “President Trump attended at the invitation of Abbey Gate Gold Star Families to honor their loved ones who have given their lives greatness for their country.”
“For a reprobate to block President Trump’s team from accompanying him to this critical event is disgraceful and he doesn’t deserve to be in the hole. [sic] site of Arlington National Cemetery. Anyone who spreads these lies dishonors the men and women of our military, and dishonors all those who have paid the price to protect our country,” LaCivita continued.
But according to a statement from Arlington National Cemetery obtained by CNN, federal law prohibits political campaigning or election-related activities inside the National Cemetery.
The cemetery says it has “reinforced and shared this law and its restrictions with all participants,” including “photographers, journalists or any other person present for the purpose of, or to support directly to the campaign of a political candidate.”
Trump appeared to suggest that the incident was a result of his campaign’s use of photography, sharing a statement from family members of fallen soldiers expressing their approval in the Real Post. of the Nation.
“We had authorized a videographer and a portrait of President Trump to be present at the event, to ensure that these sacred moments of remembrance were captured respectfully, so we could cherish the memories. this forever,” the families said.
However, it wasn’t just the graves of those killed at Abbey Gate that featured in pictures and video from Trump’s visit. In at least one image posted online, the grave of an Army Special Forces soldier who died by suicide is also shown; his family has always said that they did not give permission to do this campaign. The grave of Mr. Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, a Silver Star recipient, sits next to Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover.
A statement from Marckesano’s sister on behalf of their family said that while they support the families of the 13 fallen “in their search for answers and accountability regarding the withdrawal from Afghanistan and the tragedy at Abbey Gate,” the call The Trump administration “did not follow the rules.” of Section 60.
“[A]According to our communication with Arlington National Cemetery, Trump Campaign staff did not follow the rules for this visit to SSGT Hoover’s grave in Section 60, which is next to my brother’s grave,” said Michele said. We hope that those who visit this holy place understand that these were real people who sacrificed themselves for our freedom and that they are respected and honored accordingly.
Hours after the Army’s statement was released Thursday, LaCivita re-shared a video of Trump’s visit saying he “hopes to spark hacks at @SecArmy,” tagging the official report. for Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth. This video showed the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier instead of Section 60.
When asked about LaCivita’s post on X, an Army spokesman simply reiterated that the Army considers the matter closed.
Other veterans groups have also spoken out about the Trump campaign holding a political rally in Arlington – one of the holiest burial sites for US service members.
Charlie Iacono, president and CEO of the Green Beret Foundation, said on Thursday that the foundation “stands in support of the statements made by the Marckesano family. Every soul that rests in Arlington National Cemetery and other military cemeteries around the world you deserve that the rules that honor them be upheld and the right rules followed, to ensure that their legacy is not forgotten.”
Allison Jaslow, CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said in a statement that there are “many places that are politically appropriate – Arlington is not one of them.”
“Anyone who wants to be elected, especially one who hopes to be a Commander-in-Chief, should not be confused about that,” Jaslow said. Nor should they hide behind members of our community to justify entering politics in such a sacred place.
In a post on X, VoteVets, a progressive organization that advocates for issues related to US forces and veterans, said Trump was using the cemetery “for political purposes.”
“This whole incident is sickening and (is) an insult to the hundreds of thousands of families who refused to allow their dead loved ones to be dragged into politics,” the post said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s office told CNN on Thursday that he “must step in to bury former President Donald Trump at Arlington National Cemetery.” House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul also told CNN that he reached out to Johnson’s office about the issue after contacting Darin Hoover and Kelly Barnett, the parents of Marine Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover, who was killed at Abbey Gate. McCaul said Arlington has given family members “a difficult time coordinating the commemoration of their children’s deaths with President Trump.”
CNN’s Colin McCullough, Brian Todd and Haley Talbot contributed to the report.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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