Special Poll
The U.S. Army released a redacted report on Friday about an incident at Arlington National Cemetery involving a staffer and aides from the Trump campaign during former President Trump’s visit in August.
The watchdog group American Oversight obtained the report, which provides limited details. The report lists the offense as “simple assault” and offers a brief, partially redacted description of the event.
According to the report, “While working at the Arlington National Cemetery, [REDACTED] 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 2023 and stated [REDACTED] did not want to press charges.” However, most of the statement from the cemetery employee has been redacted.
Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery on August 26 to commemorate the anniversary of the Kabul airport attack that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members during the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Media sources, citing an anonymous informant, initially reported that a cemetery official tried to prevent Trump staffers from filming and photographing in Section 60, an area where recently fallen soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq are buried. Allegedly, Trump’s aides pushed the official aside when they attempted to stop campaign personnel from entering the area.
The Trump campaign attributed the incident to the cemetery employee, suggesting they experienced a “mental health episode” and attempted to “physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony.”
In response, the Army defended the cemetery employee, stating they were enforcing cemetery rules that prohibit political activities on the grounds. “Consistent with the decorum expected at [the cemetery], this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption,” said an Army official, adding that while the police were notified, the employee ultimately chose not to press charges.
The Army has now stated that it “considers this matter closed.”