Graves adorned with flags for Memorial Day in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., on May 27.
Arlington National Cemetery is at the center of a recent controversy involving a staff member who attempted to enforce regulations banning political activities on its grounds. The U.S. Army stated that the employee was “abruptly pushed aside” during a visit by former President Donald Trump but chose not to file charges against the Trump campaign staff involved.
This statement was released following reports about the incident during Trump’s visit to Arlington, which coincided with the anniversary of the deadly Afghanistan attack that claimed the lives of 13 service members.
“Participants in the August 26 ceremony were briefed on federal laws, Army regulations, and DoD policies prohibiting political activities within the cemetery,” the statement related. “The ANC employee acted professionally and made efforts to prevent further disruption after the incident.” The employee chose not to pursue legal action, leading the Army to deem the matter closed.
The Army described the incident as “unfortunate,” highlighting that the employee’s professionalism has come under unfair scrutiny.
Due to federal law barring Army personnel from political campaign involvement, cemetery staff did not engage with the Trump campaign directly. Instead, coordination was done with Republican Congressman Brian Mast’s office, who accompanied Trump during his visit.
The cemetery staff ensured that only an official Arlington photographer would be permitted to capture images in Section 60, where many American war dead are laid to rest, a rule the Trump campaign reportedly agreed to follow.
In a subsequent response, Mast stated, “President Trump conducted no politics at Arlington National Cemetery.” This clarification follows Trump’s posting of a video on social media featuring footage from the cemetery that may contravene federal laws regarding military cemeteries and political campaigning.
While this incident is not the first instance of Trump being accused of politicizing military matters, it has ignited discourse surrounding the appropriateness of such actions in sacred spaces.
During Trump’s visit, he commemorated the third anniversary of the aforementioned attack, resonating deeply with families of the fallen service members. His remarks during the event emphasized the severity of the day and a controversial assertion about the lack of combat-related deaths during his presidency.
The Trump campaign has faced criticism for its handling of the situation at Arlington, with reports of a conflict arising between campaign staffers and cemetery personnel over filming regulations. Additionally, some family members present at the cemetery expressed their disapproval of the campaign’s disregard for established guidelines.
The Trump Campaign’s Reaction
The aftermath of the visit has led to inflammatory remarks from Trump campaign representatives, who have dismissed the cemetery staff’s concerns. An escalation of rhetoric has also been evident on the campaign trail, with some officials framing the criticism as overblown.
While acknowledging some family members were open to having cameras present, it is crucial to note that these individuals cannot override cemetery regulations.
Concerns were raised by relatives of service members interred at Arlington, underscoring the need for respect and adherence to the site’s solemn regulations. They called on visitors to honor and treat the cemetery with the dignity it deserves.
This incident serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing tensions between political activities and military reverence in public spaces.
