WASHINGTON — The campaign of former President Donald Trump is downplaying reports of an incident during his visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, suggesting that it is concerned about the possible political repercussions of the event.
Chris LaCivita, a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign and a retired Marine who accompanied Trump during the visit, criticized a cemetery official for allegedly mischaracterizing the event. “A nameless bureaucrat at Arlington whose job it is to preserve the dignity of the cemetery is doing the complete opposite in trying to make what was a very solemn and respectful event into something it was not,” LaCivita stated.
Throughout his political career, Trump has positioned himself as a supporter of military members and veterans, a narrative reinforced by the presence of family members of the service members honored during Monday’s ceremony. However, his tendency to disparage the military has led some former aides to doubt the sincerity of his commitment to servicemen and women.
This latest incident risks undermining Trump’s criticism of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris regarding a terrorist attack in 2021 at the Abbey Gate of Kabul airport that resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members. The visit coincided with the third anniversary of the attack, during which Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to honor the victims before moving to Section 60, dedicated to participants in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Attending alongside Trump were family members of those killed at Abbey Gate, who had invited him to join the commemoration. Kelly Barnett, whose son, Marine Staff Sgt. Darin “Taylor” Hoover, perished in the attack, expressed her support for Trump’s presence. “I gave my permission… I wanted to make sure that my family at home… could see it and feel it,” she told NBC News.
Trump was photographed smiling and giving a thumbs-up next to Hoover’s grave, a moment shared with other headstones of service members unrelated to the ceremony. A federal regulation prohibits political activities during memorial services at Army cemeteries.
Reports surfaced that two staffers from Trump’s campaign had a confrontation with a cemetery official who attempted to stop them from filming the ceremony. The cemetery confirmed that a report was filed regarding the incident, but participants, including Barnett and an unnamed attendee, said they witnessed nothing inappropriate.
“We didn’t even hear about it until the next day,” the anonymous participant said, asserting that Trump’s participation was not politicized.
Trump later shared video clips from the ceremony on his TikTok account, using the occasion to blame Biden and Harris for the deaths at Kabul airport.
Historically, Trump has garnered support from military voters, winning a significant majority in previous elections, although his share dropped in 2020. His advisers have downplayed the reported altercation at Arlington, accusing Democrats of disrespecting the anniversary, which serves as a painful reminder of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“There was only one commander in chief in Arlington on Aug. 26,” LaCivita emphasized, pointing out that Biden and Harris did not attend the ceremony, even as they issued statements about it. Neither Trump nor Harris has military experience, although their vice-presidential and gubernatorial running mates do.
Harris’ campaign chose not to comment on the altercation but addressed it indirectly through communications director Michael Tyler, labeling the reports as “sad” and highlighting Trump’s history of demeaning military personnel.
A Trump adviser referenced a statement from five Gold Star family members and two Purple Heart recipients present at the ceremony, who defended Trump and asserted they welcomed media coverage to capture the memories. “Everything involved in the day was at their invitation,” the adviser noted, insisting it was not a campaign event but a gathering that honored the families of the fallen.
Despite the controversy, a Republican operative criticized the campaign’s handling of the situation, particularly a statement characterizing the cemetery official’s actions as “suffering from a mental health episode.” Observers within Republican circles expressed concern about the professionalism of such remarks.
Trump has frequently faced criticism for comments perceived as disrespectful to veterans. He previously mocked late Senator John McCain’s service as a prisoner of war and has made controversial remarks about the Medal of Honor and the military in general.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, an Army veteran, commented on the incident at Arlington, framing it as part of a broader issue of disrespect towards military service members and the increasing politicization of military sacrifice.
During a recent Democratic convention, speakers criticized Trump for his relationship with military issues, with former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta asserting that Trump has failed to honor veterans properly.
For Republicans, the episode highlights perceived failures within the Biden administration regarding Afghanistan, forming a critical element of their messaging on national security and military issues.