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Despite evidence, Trump calls Arlington cemetery incident a ‘made-up story’: NPR
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Despite evidence, Trump calls Arlington cemetery incident a ‘made-up story’: NPR

Former President Donald Trump looks on alongside Marlon Bateman (left), Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26 to honor the lives of those killed in the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan.

Former President Donald Trump looks on alongside Marlon Bateman (left), Marine Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews during a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 26 to honor the lives of those killed in the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan.

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Former President Donald Trump denied Tuesday that there was any conflict or “fight” during his visit to Arlington National Cemetery last week, calling it a “fabricated story,” though Army officials said one of their workers was “abruptly shoved aside” by Trump campaign officials.

“It was a fabricated story by Comrade Kamala and her disinformation team,” Trump said posted on his Truth Social website using the nickname he coined for Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate. “She made it all up to make up for the fact that she and Sleepy Joe have BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS for the INCOMPETENT AFGHANISTAN withdrawal – THE MOST EMBARRASSING DAY IN US HISTORY!!!”

Meanwhile, members of Congress are asking for details about the incident, which was first reported by NPR.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote to Defense Secretary Christine Wormuth asking for the Arlington incident report and a briefing.

“Although the incident was reported to Joint Base-Myer-Henderson Hall police, reporting indicates the employee declined to file a report out of fear that Trump supporters would retaliate against her,” Raskin wrote.

Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, also said last week that he wanted the military to provide the incident report.

“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC worker and her professionalism were unfairly attacked,” Kaine said in a statement.

Harris released a statement over the weekend saying Arlington Cemetery “is not a place for politics.” She wrote that Trump “disrespected sacred ground, all for a political stunt.”

When asked by reporters about the incident, President Biden said, “I don’t want to answer because I could tell you what I think.”

Trump visited Arlington Cemetery on Aug. 26 at the invitation of several Gold Star families, whose loved ones were killed at the Abbey Gate of Kabul International Airport as U.S. troops evacuated Afghan allies. Thirteen service members were killed after an Islamic State fighter detonated a bomb that killed more than 170 Afghan civilians three years ago.

The military said in a statement that Trump campaign staff violated cemetery regulations and federal law by taking photos and videos in Section 60, the cemetery where victims of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are buried.

“Participants in the August 26 ceremony and subsequent Section 60 visit were advised of federal law, military regulations, and DoD policy that clearly prohibit political activity at cemeteries,” the statement said. “An ANC staff member who attempted to ensure compliance with these rules was abruptly shoved aside. In keeping with the decorum expected of ANC, this staff member acted professionally and prevented further disruption.”

The Army statement added that it considered the incident closed because the employee did not press charges. NPR has identified the Trump campaign officials allegedly involved in the incident and has reached out to them for comment. They have not responded.

After the Arlington visit, the Trump campaign said the cemetery worker was “clearly suffering from a mental disorder.” They promised to release footage of the encounter, but have so far declined.

Chris LaCivita, a top adviser to the Trump campaign, also slammed the cemetery worker.

“For a despicable individual to physically prevent President Trump’s team from accompanying him to this solemn event is a disgrace and unworthy of representing the hollow grounds of Arlington National Cemetery,” he said in a written statement, spelling the word sacred. “Whoever this individual is, by spreading these lies, we dishonor the men and women of our Armed Forces.”

A source familiar with the event said cemetery staff worked with the staff of Republican Florida Congressman Brian Mast, who accompanied Trump to Arlington. Arlington Cemetery staff communicated directly with Mast’s chief of staff, James Langenderfer, and briefed him in detail on the rules, which included no campaign events at the cemetery. They also reiterated that only an official Arlington National Cemetery photographer — and no campaign photographers — could be used at Section 60. The source said Langenderfer told them the Trump campaign agreed to the rules. NPR reached out to Mast’s staff and asked if Langenderfer had been briefed and passed that information on to the Trump campaign. They did not respond to the questions but instead issued a statement saying, “President Trump did not conduct politics at Arlington National Cemetery.”

This isn’t the first time Trump has been accused of politicizing the military for his own gain. He’s allegedly called dead soldiers “suckers” and “losers,” insulted the late Sen. John McCain for being a prisoner of war, and recently caused a stir by saying that civilians who’ve received the Presidential Medal of Freedom are far better than those who’ve received the Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military decoration, which is often awarded posthumously.