US Army Issues Rare Statement Defending Arlington Employee ‘Unfairly Attacked’ By Trump Team

(Photo by Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via AP)

The US Army defended the “professionalism” of the Arlington National Cemetery employee they believe is being “unfairly attacked” by the Trump campaign.

The statement comes as fallout over the reported incident continues days after former President Donald Trump attended the site to mark the anniversary of the 2021 Kabul airport terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. military personnel during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

In the wake of the incident, Trump campaign staff went on the attack and berated the Arlington Cemetery employee as “mentally ill” and a “disgrace” to the “hollowed [sic]” military burial site.

On Wednesday, the New York Times reported that while the cemetery worker “filed an incident report with the military authorities over the altercation,” they “later declined to press charges” for fear of “retaliation” from Trump’s supporters.

The Army spokesperson on Thursday confirmed that the employee had “attempted to ensure adherence” to federal law that prohibits political campaign activities at all Army national cemeteries when she “was abruptly pushed aside.” The Army said that the incident had been reported to police but that it considered the “matter closed” since the employee “decided not to press charges.”

The statement, issued on Thursday, reads in full:

Arlington National Cemetery routinely hosts public wreath laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for individuals and groups who submit requests in advance. ANC conducts nearly 3,000 such public ceremonies a year without incident.

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. The incident was reported to the JBM-HH police department, 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. 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.

Respectfully,

U.S. Army Public Affairs