Donald Trump recently posted a campaign video on TikTok showing his visit to Arlington National Cemetery, where he participated in a wreath-laying ceremony and posed for photos with Gold Star families. The video was released two days after an altercation between some of Trump’s aides and cemetery staff over taking photographs and video on the premises. The visit was aimed at commemorating the third anniversary of an attack on American troops during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In the video, Trump made a clear political statement by highlighting the fact that his administration did not lose any troops in Afghanistan for 18 months, but criticized the withdrawal under Joe Biden’s administration which resulted in the deaths of 13 soldiers. The caption of the video read: “Should have never happened.” The visit took place in Section 60 of the cemetery, which is a space reserved for recently buried soldiers. This location added significance to the political message conveyed in the video.
The details of the reported altercation were first revealed by NPR, stating that two Trump campaign staffers had verbally abused and pushed a cemetery official after being informed that only cemetery officials are allowed to take photos or videos in Section 60. Arlington National Cemetery later confirmed that an “incident” had occurred and a report had been filed. Federal law prohibits any political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, including photography or videos for the support of a partisan political candidate’s campaign.
The Trump campaign spokesman denied the claims of a physical altercation and stated that a private photographer was permitted on the premises. He further asserted that an unnamed individual, possibly suffering from a mental health episode, physically blocked members of President Trump’s team during the ceremony. Trump has not addressed the controversy directly as of yet. The family of Master Sgt. Andrew Marckesano, a Green Beret who died by suicide after serving multiple combat tours, expressed their disappointment over Trump filming near his grave during the visit.
Marckesano’s sister, Michele, revealed that the Trump campaign staffers did not adhere to the rules set for the visit to Staff Sergeant Hoover’s gravesite in Section 60, which is located next to her brother’s grave. She emphasized that individuals visiting the sacred site should understand the sacrifices made by those buried there and should honor and respect them accordingly. The incident at Arlington National Cemetery sparked a debate about the appropriateness of political activities and campaigning within military cemeteries, prompting a reaction from various stakeholders and the public. The controversy surrounding Trump’s visit has raised concerns about respecting the sanctity of such hallowed grounds and honoring the memory of fallen soldiers.
