'Unfairly attacked': Army stands by worker embroiled in Trump campaign controversy at Arlington
The Trump camp stated that the worker is experiencing mental health issues.
TroibNews 
The Army is standing by an Arlington National Cemetery official involved in a recent incident with the Trump campaign, stating that the woman was “abruptly pushed aside” and “unfairly attacked” by Trump staffers and their associates.
The staff member, who has not been named, chose not to file charges due to fears of retaliation. The Army, which oversees national cemeteries, released a statement on Thursday morning declaring the matter closed.
The incident occurred on Monday during a memorial service attended by former President Donald Trump and families of two service members who lost their lives during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Army officials asserted that they had thoroughly informed the Trump team about federal laws that prohibit the filming of partisan political advertisements at national cemeteries. When a photographer for Trump attempted to accompany him to the grave sites, the Army official intervened and was pushed aside.
In a Thursday statement, the Army indicated that the Trump campaign “were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.”
On Wednesday, the Trump campaign appeared to disregard these regulations by releasing a TikTok video of the Arlington visit, featuring a voice-over from Trump that blamed President Joe Biden for the service members’ deaths.
A Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic, noted that the department is not pursuing any legal action against the Trump campaign at this time.
The Army spokesperson acknowledged that despite being “abruptly pushed aside,” the employee “acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.” Following the incident, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung characterized the employee as someone “clearly suffering from a mental health episode.” The Army spokesperson responded on Thursday that it is “also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”
Democrats in Congress quickly criticized Trump's actions as a politicization of Arlington and disrespectful to fallen service members. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), a former Navy officer, remarked on social media, "Can't believe this needs to be said: You don't defile sacred ground for Americans who gave their all, you don't flout the law and rules at Arlington National Cemetery to score a photo op. Donald Trump's disrespect for our war dead & the law is a disgrace."
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army officer, echoed this sentiment, labeling the Trump campaign's actions as "a disgrace." He added, "Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground. The final resting place of our fallen should never be used for campaigns."
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), representing a Northern Virginia district, urged Arlington National Cemetery to release information regarding the incident publicly, noting that this should safeguard the identities of Army staffers involved.
"I’ve joined families in grieving at Arlington Cemetery and spent my career ensuring those who served can be buried at our National cemetery," Connolly stated. "It’s sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes."
He further called for transparency: "I urge Arlington Cemetery to publicly release all that transpired [Monday] so the American people can ensure the ground in which our nation's heroes are buried is not being debased by a man who has no concept of service and sacrifice."
In a similar vein, Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah, who was present at the ceremony with Trump, apologized on Wednesday for including photographs of the visit in a campaign email soliciting donations.
“This was not a campaign event and was never intended to be used by the campaign,” Cox communicated on social media. “It did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent. My campaign will be sending out an apology.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
The staff member, who has not been named, chose not to file charges due to fears of retaliation. The Army, which oversees national cemeteries, released a statement on Thursday morning declaring the matter closed.
The incident occurred on Monday during a memorial service attended by former President Donald Trump and families of two service members who lost their lives during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Army officials asserted that they had thoroughly informed the Trump team about federal laws that prohibit the filming of partisan political advertisements at national cemeteries. When a photographer for Trump attempted to accompany him to the grave sites, the Army official intervened and was pushed aside.
In a Thursday statement, the Army indicated that the Trump campaign “were made aware of federal laws, Army regulations and DoD policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.”
On Wednesday, the Trump campaign appeared to disregard these regulations by releasing a TikTok video of the Arlington visit, featuring a voice-over from Trump that blamed President Joe Biden for the service members’ deaths.
A Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic, noted that the department is not pursuing any legal action against the Trump campaign at this time.
The Army spokesperson acknowledged that despite being “abruptly pushed aside,” the employee “acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.” Following the incident, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung characterized the employee as someone “clearly suffering from a mental health episode.” The Army spokesperson responded on Thursday that it is “also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”
Democrats in Congress quickly criticized Trump's actions as a politicization of Arlington and disrespectful to fallen service members. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), a former Navy officer, remarked on social media, "Can't believe this needs to be said: You don't defile sacred ground for Americans who gave their all, you don't flout the law and rules at Arlington National Cemetery to score a photo op. Donald Trump's disrespect for our war dead & the law is a disgrace."
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a former Army officer, echoed this sentiment, labeling the Trump campaign's actions as "a disgrace." He added, "Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground. The final resting place of our fallen should never be used for campaigns."
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), representing a Northern Virginia district, urged Arlington National Cemetery to release information regarding the incident publicly, noting that this should safeguard the identities of Army staffers involved.
"I’ve joined families in grieving at Arlington Cemetery and spent my career ensuring those who served can be buried at our National cemetery," Connolly stated. "It’s sad but all too expected that Donald Trump would desecrate this hallowed ground and put campaign politics ahead of honoring our heroes."
He further called for transparency: "I urge Arlington Cemetery to publicly release all that transpired [Monday] so the American people can ensure the ground in which our nation's heroes are buried is not being debased by a man who has no concept of service and sacrifice."
In a similar vein, Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah, who was present at the ceremony with Trump, apologized on Wednesday for including photographs of the visit in a campaign email soliciting donations.
“This was not a campaign event and was never intended to be used by the campaign,” Cox communicated on social media. “It did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent. My campaign will be sending out an apology.”
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
