U.S. Army Shares Redacted Report on Alleged Incident During Trump's Arlington Cemetery Visit
The U.S. Army disclosed a heavily redacted report on Friday concerning an alleged incident during former President Donald Trump's visit to Arlington National Cemetery in August.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Reports suggest that on August 26, a cemetery employee tried to prevent the Trump campaign from taking photos and videos in Section 60, where soldiers recently killed in Afghanistan and Iraq are buried. A U.S. Army statement at the time indicated that the employee was "abruptly pushed aside."
Trump was visiting the cemetery to commemorate the anniversary of the Kabul airport attack, which resulted in the death of 13 U.S. service members.
Redacted Report Released
Seven pages of redacted material were made public following a Freedom of Information Act request by American Oversight, a Washington-based nonprofit group, as part of an ongoing lawsuit.
The redacted report categorizes the alleged offense as "simple assault", detailing an alleged physical altercation between a cemetery worker and Trump aides. A brief description of the incident indicates that an individual engaged "with both of [redacted] hands while attempting to move past [redacted] did not require medical attention on scene and later refused when offered. [Redacted] rendered a sworn statement on a DA Form 2823 and stated [redacted] did not want to press charges. Investigation continues by JBMHH PD Investigations Branch.”
The sworn statement of the incident, made at 1:45 p.m. on Aug. 26, is fully redacted.
Responses to the Incident
In reaction to reports about the incident that cited anonymous sources, the Trump campaign accused the cemetery employee of having a "mental health episode" and attempting to "physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony."
The Army defended the employee, stating that they acted "with professionalism" in enforcing regulations that prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. Officials confirmed that while the incident was reported to law enforcement, the employee chose not to pursue charges.
The Army stated that it "considers this matter closed," concluding that the staff member's actions were appropriate and in line with cemetery decorum.
Court Order for Report Release
Senior Judge Paul Friedman of the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia signed an order for the report to be released on October 22. American Oversight, arguing for a compelling public interest in sharing information with the public as soon as possible, requested that Arlington expedite the processing of its request in September, noting the upcoming presidential election.
American Oversight was established in 2017 in response to what it perceives as the "unprecedented challenges that the Trump administration posed to our nation’s democratic ideals and institutions."
Judge Friedman ruled on October 22 that the Army must release nonexempt portions of records about the requested incident on or before October 25.
Reactions to the Court Order
Chioma Chukwu, American Oversight’s interim executive director, stated following Friedman’s order, "With the election just two weeks away, the American people have a clear and compelling interest in knowing how the government responded to an alleged incident involving a major presidential candidate who has a history of politicizing the military."
After the initial incident, an Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson told The Epoch Times that a report had been filed but did not provide further details, citing laws against political campaign or election-related activities in military cemeteries.
The Trump campaign disputed reports of a "physical altercation," asserting they were prepared to release footage to counter any "defamatory claims." Spokesperson Steven Cheung stated that a private photographer was permitted on the grounds and that an individual, allegedly experiencing a mental health episode, tried to block Trump’s team during the ceremony.
Family members of fallen soldiers in Afghanistan also denied claims of an assault, stating no altercation took place.
The U.S. Army oversees the management of Arlington National Cemetery.
Bottom Line
The incident at Arlington National Cemetery involving former President Trump's visit has sparked a range of responses. The U.S. Army's redacted report, the Trump campaign's counterclaims, and the court order for the report's release all contribute to a complex narrative. As the public digests this information, it's crucial to consider the importance of transparency and respect for regulations, especially in places of honor like Arlington National Cemetery. What are your thoughts on this matter? Don't hesitate to share this article with your friends. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6 pm.
