Trump Denies Arlington Altercation, Army Confirms Incident

Former President Donald Trump has rejected claims regarding a controversial incident involving one of his campaign staffers and an Arlington National Cemetery worker, labeling the reports as a “fabricated story” orchestrated by Vice President Kamala Harris and her allies. This denial stands in stark contrast to the Army’s confirmation of the event.

On Tuesday, Trump took to Truth Social to refute the allegations of any altercation or “fighting” at Arlington National Cemetery during his visit last Monday. This visit was intended to commemorate the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, a tragic event that occurred during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. In his post, Trump dismissed the incident as a “made-up story” perpetuated by “Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad,” suggesting that it was merely a distraction from Harris’s own actions.

The Army, however, has provided a detailed account of the incident, which aligns with an initial report by NPR. According to the Army, a staffer from Trump’s campaign “abruptly pushed aside” a female worker at Arlington National Cemetery who was attempting to enforce restrictions on photography and videography. Section 60 of the cemetery, where the confrontation occurred, is a designated area for the graves of service members who died in recent conflicts. Federal regulations prohibit photography in this area for “partisan, political, or fundraising purposes.” The Army’s statement came after NPR’s report, which cited a source familiar with the incident. Despite Trump’s claims, there is no evidence linking Harris or her team to either the incident or its reporting.

Trump’s assertions about the incident have been accompanied by accusations that Harris fabricated the story to deflect from her absence at the cemetery. However, an unnamed White House official and a Harris aide have clarified to NBC News that neither Harris nor President Joe Biden were invited by the families of the deceased service members to mark the anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack. This clarification undermines Trump’s suggestion that Harris and Biden purposefully avoided Arlington to escape scrutiny.

In a later interview with conservative podcast host Lex Fridman, Trump defended his visit to the cemetery, insisting that he was invited by the families of the fallen service members. Trump emphasized that his visit was conducted out of respect and gratitude for their sacrifice, positioning it as a gesture of honor rather than a political maneuver.

The identities of both the Trump campaign staffer and the Arlington worker involved in the alleged confrontation have not been publicly disclosed. According to the Army, the worker chose not to press charges when military police responded to the scene. The Trump campaign has claimed it possesses video footage of the incident that could refute the Army’s account but has yet to release this footage.

Trump’s visit to Arlington has generated significant backlash from veterans, Gold Star families, and Harris. The publication of photos and videos from the visit, including one of Trump giving a thumbs-up behind a row of headstones, has been criticized as a political stunt. Harris condemned Trump’s actions in a statement posted to her X account, accusing him of “disrespecting sacred ground” and using Arlington for political purposes. The Trump administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal has also faced criticism from family members of the deceased service members, who have expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s approach.

Over the weekend, the Trump campaign released a statement from the families of seven of the 13 service members killed in the Abbey Gate attack. The statement accused Harris of “disgracefully twisting this sacred moment into a political ploy” and holding her “responsible for the deaths of our sons and daughters” in her role as vice president. This statement reflects ongoing tensions and dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation.

Trump’s relationship with veterans and military personnel has been marred by a series of controversies. Critics, including his former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, have suggested that Trump shares some responsibility for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, given his role in approving the plan during his presidency. Additionally, former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly has accused Trump of disparaging fallen service members during a 2017 Memorial Day visit, questioning the value of their sacrifice. Trump’s controversial remarks about former Senator John McCain, a Vietnam War hero, further exacerbate his contentious relationship with the military community. Trump’s 2015 comments questioning McCain’s war hero status have been widely criticized, contributing to his strained reputation among veterans.

In response to the controversies surrounding his Arlington visit, Jimmy McCain, the son of the late Senator John McCain, has expressed his discontent and announced his intention to switch his voter registration from independent to Democratic in order to support Harris in the upcoming election. McCain criticized Trump for using the cemetery as a political backdrop, asserting that the fallen service members “have no choice” in being exploited for political purposes.

Despite these controversies, Trump has maintained substantial support from veterans in past elections. According to an AP VoteCast survey, approximately 60% of veterans voted for Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. This level of support reflects a complex and multifaceted relationship between Trump and the veteran community, marked by both significant support and notable criticism.