The Trump campaign has come under scrutiny for its recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery, which Vice President Kamala Harris has condemned as a “political stunt.” The incident has sparked a heated debate about the appropriateness of political activities at such a solemn location.
In a post on X, Harris stated that Arlington National Cemetery is a “place where we come together to honor American heroes” and it is “not a place for politics.” She further declared that the former president “disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.”
These comments were Harris’ first public remarks following an altercation on Monday between a female cemetery official and a Trump campaign staffer. Trump had participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark three years since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was joined by Gold Star families, whose family members died in the conflict.
The Trump campaign argued that they were granted permission by the Gold Star families to bring “campaign designated media” to Section 60 of the cemetery. Messages reviewed by CBS News confirmed that the campaign had received direct permission from the families. However, Arlington National Cemetery media policies, dictated by federal law, prohibit any filming for partisan, political, or fundraising purposes, even if requested by family members of the fallen.
An Army spokesperson clarified that all participants were informed of the federal laws ahead of Monday’s incident. “An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside,” the Army said. “Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.”
The incident was reported to the military police department by the Arlington Cemetery employee, who chose not to press charges. The Army has since stated that it considers the matter closed.
Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign’s communications director, denied any physical altercation and indicated that they are prepared to release footage. “The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony,” Cheung said.
In response to Harris’ comments, Trump’s running mate Sen. JD Vance posted on X, “President Trump was there at the invitation of families whose loved ones died because of your incompetence. Why don’t you get off social media and go launch an investigation into their unnecessary deaths?”
Republican Sen. Tom Cotton also defended Trump, stating that Gold Star families had every right to invite “whomever they wanted to commemorate this solemn anniversary.” Cotton criticized Harris and President Joe Biden for not meeting with the Gold Star families to express their condolences.
Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt also attacked Harris, blaming her for the deaths during the withdrawal. “Kamala’s stupidity led to one of the most embarrassing events in American history and 13 brave US soldiers being killed. She has never said their names. She has never reached out to their families,” Leavitt said. “For this alone, Kamala does not deserve to be elected. Kamala has already proven that she would be a dangerously incompetent Commander in Chief.”
Democratic lawmakers with the House Oversight Committee have requested a “full account” of the incident from the U.S. Army. “It appears that the Trump campaign—which arrived at the Cemetery with a photographer and videographer—completely flouted the laws and rules they were informed of and filmed footage in the restricted area for use in a political TikTok video,” Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland wrote in a letter to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth. Raskin has requested a response from Wormuth by Sept. 9.
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