The US Army on Thursday condemned former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign over the incident at the Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). On Monday, Trump visited the ANC along with some of the family members of the 13 US soldiers killed in the 2021 Kabul bombing, moments before leaving Afghanistan. During the wreath-laying ceremony, an altercation broke out between the ANC official and Trump's staff.
The ANC official was reportedly pushed by the former US president's staff. The US Army, in a statement, issued a stark rebuke of Trump's presidential campaign. "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,” the Army spokesperson said in the statement," as reported by CNN.
“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,” the statement added.
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Notably, Section 60 is an area in the ANC that is reserved for US soldiers who laid down their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. the incident was reported to police at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. However, the ANC official had decided not to press charges, the Army spokesperson said. So the Army "considers this matter closed," the spokesperson added.
The 13 US soldiers were at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate in Afghanistan in 2021. A video posted on TikTok showed the Republican presidential candidate blaming the Biden administration for the loss of 13 US soldiers in the Kabul blast.
Meanwhile, according Reuters/Ipsos poll, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris is leading against Trump at 45 per cent as compared to 41 per cent. Notably, President Joe Biden, 81, decided to step out of the presidential race after a disastrous debate performance against Trump. Harris was picked as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee.