One of the staffers involved in the altercation at Arlington National Cemetery is a deputy campaign manager for Donald Trump’s reelection bid. The former president denied the incident occurred, revealing a disconnect between his messaging and that of his campaign team. Both staffers involved have been identified amidst conflicting responses from the campaign following the incident last week outside Section 60, the resting place for many casualties of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The two staffers are deputy campaign manager Justin Caporale and Michel Picard, a member of Trump’s advance team.
Caporale, a former aide to Melania Trump, previously worked for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis before rejoining the Trump campaign. He also managed the Women for America First rally in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021, just before the unrest at the U.S. Capitol.
Trump laid a wreath at Arlington to commemorate the third anniversary of the bombing at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. Afterward, he visited Section 60 at the invitation of family members of the fallen soldiers.
Arlington National Cemetery rules stipulate that only an official photographer may capture images in Section 60. When an employee attempted to enforce these rules, she was verbally assaulted by the two campaign operatives, with Picard reportedly pushing her aside.
Conflicting Messaging from the Campaign
Following initial reports of the altercation, a campaign spokesman claimed they were prepared to release footage and described the Arlington employee’s actions as a “mental health episode.” The campaign asserted that they had been authorized to have a photographer present and referenced a statement from Gold Star family members inviting Trump to the ceremony.
They even shared a video from Section 60 where Trump appeared smiling with family members at gravesites. However, some families, including those of fallen service members, confirmed that they did not grant permission for filming at their loved ones’ graves.
The Army acknowledged that an employee had been pushed aside during the incident and reiterated that the campaign had been warned about the restrictions on photography and political activities at Arlington. A police report was filed, though the employee chose not to pursue charges, leading the Army to consider the matter closed while defending the professionalism of the cemetery employee.
When contacted for comments, Caporale and Picard did not respond, while the campaign spokesman emphasized Trump was present to honor Gold Star families.
This week, Trump contradicted his campaign’s stance, labeling the incident as a “false story” propagated by political opponents. In a radio interview, he dismissed the altercation, questioning the employee’s credibility and framing the accusations as publicity-driven attacks.
The visit to Arlington has sparked criticism given Trump’s previous controversial remarks regarding the military. While he maintains strong support among veterans, the politicization of such a significant site raises concerns that it could overshadow his campaign messaging.
The ongoing tension between Trump’s campaign strategies and his rhetoric has also been evident regarding his approach to abortion rights and upcoming debates against Vice President Harris. Recent developments have shown him struggling to adapt to changes in the political landscape, potentially affecting his campaign’s momentum.
