Trump's controversial visit to Arlington ignites bipartisan debate
An event that sparked wide commentary from both sides of the political divide in the United States occurred on Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. Former U.S. President Donald Trump paid a visit to this historically significant American burial ground. However, his staff did not respect the site where veterans from all the wars the country has participated in are buried.
29 August 2024 16:41
Donald Trump visited the cemetery on the third anniversary of the attack at the Abbey Gate of Kabul airport. During the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, 13 U.S. soldiers and 170 Afghans were killed there.
The families of the victims requested that Trump make this visit. The Department of Defense agreed to this official visit, but due to the upcoming elections, stipulated that the ceremony should be non-political.
Donald Trump and the commotion at the veterans' cemetery. USA divided
Trump's supporters and his staff were not allowed to use any promotional gadgets, flags, banners, caps, or campaign slogans. There was also a specific warning - no cameras in section 60, where those who fell in the latest conflicts are buried.
Media representatives complied with this requirement, so Trump proceeded to this area of the cemetery without journalists. However, the candidate's staff decided their own photographer and cameraman could follow the politician.
This led to a confrontation with a cemetery employee who reminded them of the rules. At that moment, a man from Trump’s staff pushed the woman. The politician's aides also verbally attacked her.
This incident is now being presented very differently by Trump supporters and opponents. Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung says the woman "has mental health issues" and promises to present recordings that will prove she was the one attacking. However, the recordings have not yet been shown.
Trump’s campaign co-chair Chris LaCivita, who was present in Arlington, said of the cemetery representative that she is a "vile person." He argued that the woman "does not deserve to represent" the famous cemetery.
Meanwhile, the attacked employee decided not to file a report with the prosecutor's office. She reported the incident to her superiors, fearing persecution from Trump’s voters.
As reports state, organizing campaign-related events on the grounds of military cemeteries is prohibited by federal law. American soldiers are not allowed to officially, in uniform, participate in rallies supporting politicians.
Therefore, some families of the deceased are outraged by the films from section 60 shown on Donald Trump's social media. Others have given permission to show the gravestones of their loved ones.
In an interview with CNN, Kamala Harris's campaign spokesperson, Michael Tyler, called the commotion at the cemetery "saddening." - Donald Trump wants everything to revolve around him. He is also a person who has in the past humiliated soldiers, those who sacrificed their lives for the country," commented Tyler.
