The Army on Thursday defended the Arlington National Cemetery staffer at the center of the reported controversy involving former President Trump’s campaign staff during a wreath-laying ceremony earlier this week.
An Army spokesperson said the employee was trying to enforce rules prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds when they were pushed aside.
“Consistent with the decorum expected at [the cemetery], this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption,” the official said, adding the incident was reported to police but “the employee subsequently decided not to press charges.”
The Army now “considers this matter closed.”
The official added that the incident was “unfortunate,” and the employee’s “professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”
The cemetery 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 spokesperson added.
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