‘Made up’: Trump claims there was ‘no conflict’ during Arlington Cemetery visit

Donald Trump has hit back as furore grows over his controversial visit to a miliary cemetery, placing the blame for the drama squarely with Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump has claimed “no conflict” occurred during his visit to a hallowed military cemetery last week, arguing it was “made-up” by his opponent Kamala Harris, despite reports from the US Army.

The former US president sparked controversy after his visit to the Arlington Cemetery, in Virginia, last Monday alongside the families of 13 fallen US servicemen and women, who died in a suicide bombing during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

During the visit - where the Republican presidential nominee’s laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Mr Trump’s campaign staff clashed with a cemetery worker, who tried to stop them from filming in a restricted area called Section 60.

Over a week on from incident, Mr Trump shared a post on Truth Social, denying there was any “fighting” and accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of inventing the claims to “make up for” the “incompetent” Afghanistan withdrawal.

“There was no conflict or ’fighting’ at Arlington National Cemetery last week. It was a made up story by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation squad,” Mr Trump wrote.

“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!!!”

Mr Trump has been criticised for posing with families next to their relatives’ gravestones – in this case, while smiling and flashing the thumbs up sign. Picture: X

Mr Trump’s campaign had earlier commented on the incident, labelling the worker who had tried to stop it from filming in Section 60 “mentally ill” and “a disgrace”.

In response, the US Army released a statement confirming a cemetery worker has been “abruptly pushed aside”.

“Participants in the August 26 ceremony, and the subsequent Section 60 visit, were made aware of federal laws, army regulations and Department of Defence policies, which clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds,” it said in a statement.

“An employee who attempted to ensure adherence to these rules was abruptly pushed aside. Consistent with the decorum expected at Arlington, this employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption.

“This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the Arlington employee and her professionalism have been unfairly attacked.

“Arlington is a national shrine to the honoured 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.”

Mr Trump visited the Arlington National Cemetery last Monday, where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty/AFP

On Saturday, Ms Harris accused Mr Trump of “disrespecting sacred ground” for “the sake of a political stunt”.

He responded by sharing messages of support from eight of the families on his social media platform, Truth Social, some of whom also criticised Ms Harris.

“Why did we want Trump there? It wasn’t to help his political campaign,” said one such family member, Mark Schmitz, who lost his son, Marine Lance Corporal Jared Shmitz.

“We wanted a leader. That explains why you and Joe (Biden) didn’t get a call.”

The following day, Mr Trump hit back on social media.

“I want to thank the families of our Great Warriors who have been lost to us for the way they came together as one, and thanked me for attending, at their request, the Celebration of their wonderful family members who, because of the Incompetence of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, are no longer with us,” he wrote.

“Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you at Arlington National Ceremony (sic), and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine, but it was my Great Honour to do so. I WILL NEVER FORGET!

“Lightweight VP Kamala Harris tried turning it around, because they weren’t there, have never spoken to the families, and have no intention to do so.

“In Afghanistan, you don’t take the Soldiers out first, you take the Soldiers out last. This would be Military 101, the most basic, and the “leaders” of that Disaster should be fired. We have FOOLS in the White House.”

Thee US Army released a statement confirming a cemetery worker has been “abruptly pushed aside” during the visit. Picture: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/AFP

Speaking to NBC News, Republican Senator Tom Cotton said the families’ children “died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s incompetence”.

“You know who the families also invited (to Arlington)? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Where were they? Joe Biden was at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington DC.”

Officials from the White House and Harris campaign said Mr Biden and Ms Harris were not invited to the event.

The withdrawal of US forces, and those of its coalition allies, from Afghanistan in 2021 ended with the Taliban swiftly retaking control of the country.

On August 26, days ahead of the planned full withdrawal, a suicide bombing claimed the lives of 13 US military personnel. It also killed 170 Afghans.

Originally published as ‘Made up’: Trump claims there was ‘no conflict’ during Arlington Cemetery visit