Regardless of proof, Trump calls Arlington Cemetery incident a ‘made up story’ : NPR

Former President Donald Trump denied Tuesday there was a battle or “fighting,” throughout his go to to Arlington Nationwide Cemetery final week, calling it a “made up story,” although Military officers stated one in every of their staff “was abruptly pushed aside” by Trump marketing campaign officers.

“It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad,” Trump posted on his Fact Social web site utilizing the sobriquet he has coined for Vice President Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee. “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 U.S. HISTORY!!!”

In the meantime, members of Congress are asking for particulars concerning the incident, which was first reported by NPR.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, rating Democrat on the Home Committee on Oversight and Accountability, wrote to Military Secretary Christine Wormuth, asking for the incident report from Arlington in addition to a briefing.

“Although the incident was reported to the Joint Base-Myer-Henderson Hall police department, reporting indicates that the employee declined to press charges for fear that the Trump supporters would retaliate against her,” Raskin wrote.

Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, final week additionally stated he wished the Military to supply the incident report.

“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked,” Kaine stated in a press release.

Harris issued a press release over the weekend, saying Arlington Cemetery is “not a place for politics.” She wrote that Trump “disrespected sacred ground, all for the sake of a political stunt.”

President Biden, when requested concerning the incident by reporters, stated “I don’t want to answer because I might tell you what I think,”

Trump was visiting Arlington Cemetery on Aug. 26 on the invitation of some Gold Star households whose family members have been killed on the Abbey Gate of Kabul Worldwide Airport whereas U.S. forces have been evacuating Afghan allies. 13 service members have been killed after an Islamic State fighter detonated a bomb that additionally killed greater than 170 Afghan civilians three years in the past.

The Military stated in a press release that Trump marketing campaign officers violated cemetery guidelines and federal legislation by taking images and video at Part 60, the place these killed within the Afghanistan and Iraq wars are buried.

“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,” the assertion stated. “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 Army statement added that it considered the incident closed as the employee was not pressing 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.

Within the aftermath of the go to to Arlington, the Trump marketing campaign stated the cemetery staffer was “clearly suffering from a mental health episode” and promised to launch footage of the encounter however has to this point declined to take action.

Chris LaCivita, a high Trump marketing campaign adviser, additionally lashed out on 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 does not deserve to represent the hollowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery,” he stated in a written assertion, misspelling the phrase hallowed. “Whoever this individual is, spreading these lies are dishonoring the men and women of our armed forces.”

A supply conversant in the occasion stated the cemetery workers labored with the workers of Republican Congressman Brian Mast of Florida, who joined Trump at Arlington. Arlington Cemetery workers dealt straight with Mast’s chief of workers, James Langenderfer, briefing him extensively on the foundations, which embrace no marketing campaign occasions on the cemetery. In addition they reiterated that solely an official Arlington Nationwide Cemetery photographer — and no marketing campaign photographer — might be used at Part 60. The supply stated Langenderfer informed them the Trump marketing campaign agreed to those guidelines. NPR reached out to Mast’s workers and requested if Langenderfer was briefed and relayed that data to the Trump marketing campaign. They didn’t tackle the questions however as an alternative launched a press release, which stated: “President Trump conducted no politics at Arlington National Cemetery.”

This isn’t the primary time Trump has been accused of politicizing the army for his private acquire. He has allegedly referred to as lifeless troopers “suckers” and “losers,” insulted the late Sen. John McCain for being a prisoner of battle and just lately stoked controversy for saying civilian Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients are significantly better than those that acquired the Medal of Honor — the best army award within the nation, usually given posthumously.