A solemn 14-acre section at Arlington National Cemetery, designated for U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, has ignited controversy following an attempt by cemetery staff to prevent a photo opportunity for former President Trump’s campaign. This incident has raised questions about the intersection of politics and memorial sites.
On Monday, an altercation occurred between a cemetery staff member and Trump campaign officials regarding the taking of photos in Section 60, an area predominantly reserved for honoring fallen service members. Sources indicate that Arlington officials had previously stated that only authorized cemetery staff could take photos in this sensitive area.
Allison Jaslow, a CEO of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) and an Iraq war veteran, expressed her sentiments about Section 60, stating it serves as “a humbling reminder of how some of us were lucky enough to make it home.”
The timing of Trump’s visit coincided with the third anniversary of an attack in Afghanistan that resulted in the deaths of 13 American servicemembers during a chaotic withdrawal. Photos capturing the moment showed Trump smiling beside the grave marker of Marine Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, surrounded by the soldier’s family. Notably, two other headstones were also captured, including one belonging to a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier who died by suicide, whose family reportedly did not give permission for the marker’s appearance in the photos.
Jaslow reflected on the incident, commenting, “It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that anyone who is expecting to be an elected official would think of doing something like this.”
Additionally, Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during his visit.
Arlington National Cemetery has clear regulations prohibiting “political campaign or election-related activities within the cemeteries.” A statement from the cemetery emphasized that federal law bans such activities, including those involving photographers and content creators associated with political campaigns.
While the cemetery confirmed a report was filed regarding the altercation, they refrained from disclosing the identity of the involved official. In response, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed claims of a physical altercation, stating that they are prepared to release footage to counteract what he deemed defamatory claims. Cheung also implied that the cemetery staff member involved was experiencing a mental health episode.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and America’s Gold Star Families, an organization dedicated to supporting those grieving military losses, both declined to comment, with the latter noting that the reporting distracts from honoring fallen heroes and contributes to societal division.
Established on May 13, 1864, Arlington National Cemetery arose during the Civil War, utilizing land confiscated from Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s family. It serves as a resting place for deceased members of all U.S. military branches and is administered by the U.S. Department of the Army.
Section 60, dedicated in 2018, contains approximately 900 servicemembers lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Author Robert Poole remarked on the heightened emotions associated with Section 60, stating that while it may appear similar to other parts of the cemetery at a distance, a closer inspection reveals the profound significance of the names and items left at the graves.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan was initiated as part of a peace agreement with the Taliban during the Trump administration in February 2020. Although the Biden administration aimed to adhere to the withdrawal agreement, it missed a May 1, 2021 deadline but planned to complete the process before September 11 of that year.
