Official ‘abruptly pushed’ in altercation with Trump campaign staff at Arlington National Cemetery but matter closed, US Army says

An official at a military cemetery was “abruptly pushed aside” during an altercation with Donald Trump’s staff during a wreath-laying ceremony, but the matter is considered closed, a US Army spokesperson has said.

A statement said the employee at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, was trying to make sure those participating in the ceremony were following the rules.

“This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption,” the statement said.

The incident was reported to the police but the employee decided not to press charges.

The Army said it considered the matter closed.

The Republican presidential candidate participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday in honour of 13 US service members killed during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

He also visited Section 60 of the cemetery, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

His campaign staff were warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation, a defence official told The Associated Press.

“An ANC [Arlington National Cemetery] employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside,” the US Army statement said.

“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”

Arlington National Cemetery previously acknowledged “an incident” had taken place and a report had been filed, but did not describe what happened.

“Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidate’s campaign,” it said.

“Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. We can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed.”

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Mr Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung contested the allegation a campaign staff member had pushed a cemetery official.

“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,” he said.

He also tweeted to say Mr Trump was granted access to have a photographer at the cemetery.

Mr Trump was previously criticised for reportedly referring to fallen soldiers as “suckers” and “losers” while he was president – allegations he has denied.