The Army addressed the ongoing controversy involving a Trump campaign staffer and a worker at Arlington National Cemetery, saying it now “considers this matter closed.”
An Army spokesperson defended the cemetery employee, saying they were trying to enforce rules prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds when they were pushed aside.
The rules at Army National Military Cemeteries are dictated by federal law and prohibit any filming for partisan, political, or fundraising purposes, according to Arlington National Cemetery media policies.
The Trump campaign has said it was explicitly granted permission to bring “campaign designated media” to Section 60 of the cemetery by the Gold Star families present.
“ANC conducts nearly 3,000 such public ceremonies a year without incident,” the Army spokesperson said. “Participants in the August 26th ceremony and the subsequent Section 60 visit were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds. An ANC employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at ANC, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.”
They also noted that while the incident was reported to local authorities, the “employee subsequently decided not to press charges.”
The former president was at the cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week when the incident occurred.
The official said that while the incident was “unfortunate,” the employee’s “professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”
The spokesperson added that the cemetery is “a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and its dedicated staff will continue to ensure public ceremonies are conducted with the dignity and respect the nation’s fallen deserve.”