The U.S. Army suggests the Trump campaign may have violated federal laws and DoD policies during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery on August 26.
- The Army referenced the Trump campaign without naming it and claims it informed participants of regulations prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds.
Further Context: On August 29, the Army issued a rare admonishment concerning conduct in Section 60, a burial site for Iraq and Afghanistan war dead.
- A cemetery staff member reportedly tried to block the Trump campaign from filming in Section 60.
- The Army confirmed details of an altercation where the staff member was allegedly verbally abused and pushed aside.
- The Trump campaign used the footage in a partisan TikTok video posted the very same day.
The House Oversight Committee is now investigating the incident, seeking a report from the cemetery.
- Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the incident, claiming the staff member was “suffering from a mental health episode.”
- Kamala Harris responded on X/Twitter, saying, “Arlington National Cemetery is not a place for politics,” criticizing Trump’s actions as disrespectful.
- Trump has posted videos from Gold Star families on Truth Social, where they reaffirm support despite the controversy. The families, who attended the ceremony, focus on criticizing President Biden and Kamala Harris’ handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Why it matters: The incident coincides with Trump’s recent controversial statement that the Medal of Freedom he gave to Jewish Billionaire Miriam Adelson is “much better” than the Medal of Honor because awardees are typically “in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead.”
- Miriam Adelson—a major Republican donor—has pledged $100 million to the 2024 Trump campaign.
- The comments were made at an event on fighting antisemitism at Trump’s New Jersey golf course where he pledged to restore the Israel Lobby’s power over Congress.
