The Department of Defense (DOD) and Army released a report Friday disclosing the details of an altercation that occurred during former President Donald Trump’s August visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump honored the 13 American service members killed during President Joe Biden’s August 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal on the three-year anniversary of the incident at a ceremony that later became controversial when reports surfaced that a physical altercation had occurred between a campaign official and an Arlington National Cemetery staffer over photo restrictions. The agency released the report in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from American Oversight but details a multitude of exemptions to the request including laws protecting inter- and intra-agency communications and records pertaining to an ongoing investigation, leaving the report heavily redacted.
The report labeled the event a “simple assault” and said an action occurred with “both of [redacted] hands while attempting to move past” but that no medical attention was necessary following the incident. The documents contain a sworn affidavit taken at the time of the altercation but is entirely redacted, including the name of who gave the statement.
The individual involved chose not to press charges following the incident, the report says.
The incident occurred after a cemetery staff member attempted to enforce a rule prohibiting political activity and “was abruptly pushed aside” by a Trump campaign official, according to NPR.
“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 Army said in a statement after the incident, according to NPR. “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.”
Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Trump over the event, stating that the former president did not honor service members — a claim which several Gold Star families quickly rebuked by placing blame instead on Harris for her apparent lack of acknowledgment of the incident that killed the soldiers. The families requested Trump attend the event and take photos with them, Trump stated in a Truth Social post, and the families later confirmed to the Daily Caller.
The Army and DOD did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Featured Image: DoD Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann/Flickr
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