Trump campaign staff accused of clashing with cemetery official

Reported altercation between Trump staff and cemetery official raises questions about filming during ceremony

Two staff members from Donald Trump's presidential campaign had a "verbal and physical altercation" with an official from Arlington National Cemetery during Trump’s recent visit, NPR reported on Tuesday. Trump was at the cemetery on Monday for a wreath-laying ceremony honouring the 13 US servicemembers killed during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Later that day in Detroit, Trump criticised President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for what he called a "catastrophic" withdrawal.

According to an unnamed source cited by NPR, the altercation occurred when a cemetery official tried to stop Trump's team from filming and taking photos in a restricted area where servicemembers are buried. NPR claimed that Trump’s staff verbally insulted the official and physically pushed them aside.

Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, denied the allegations, stating, "There was no physical altercation as described, and we are prepared to release footage if defamatory claims are made." Cheung added that a private photographer had been permitted at the cemetery, and he criticised the unnamed individual involved, suggesting they were experiencing a mental health episode.

Arlington National Cemetery confirmed that an incident had occurred and that a report had been filed. The cemetery stated that federal law prohibits political or campaign-related activities within its grounds, including photographers or content creators attending in support of a partisan candidate. The cemetery did not provide further details about the report or why the Trump campaign visit was permitted in relation to his presidential bid.