WASHINGTON — The Army said Thursday that an aide to former President Donald Trump had “abruptly pushed aside” an Arlington National Cemetery employee, who tried to stop the Trump campaign from filming a video on the grounds.
“This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption,” according to the statement.
The incident was reported to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Virginia, which has jurisdiction over the cemetery, “but the employee subsequently decided not to press charges. Therefore, the Army considers this matter closed.”
“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked,” the Army continued. “ANC 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.”
The Army defended the employee, providing new details in the statement.
“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked,” the spokesperson added. “ANC 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.”
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said the reporting about the cemetery employee being pushed by Trump’s aide was not true.
“False. Not even remotely true and this person is a liar,” he said. “As someone who was there, this employee was the one who initiated physical contact that was unwarranted and unnecessary.”
Cheung went as far as to blame the employee for the incident.
“This individual was the one who initiated physical contact and verbal harassment that was unwarranted and unnecessary,” he said.
The cemetery confirmed Tuesday that an incident had occurred during Trump’s visit. Federal regulations bar “partisan political activities ” at memorial services at Army cemeteries.
