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In a disturbing incident on Monday, Trump campaign staff launched a vicious verbal attack on an Arlington Cemetery official following a dispute over a photo opportunity during a wreath-laying ceremony. The ceremony, attended by former President Donald Trump, was held to commemorate the anniversary of the 2021 Kabul airport terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. military personnel during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

According to reports, the altercation began when the cemetery official attempted to enforce federal laws that prohibit political activities, including photography, at Army national cemeteries like Arlington. This move was met with hostility from Trump’s team, who aggressively berated the staff member.

The Trump campaign responded by dismissing the official’s actions as those of someone “clearly suffering from a mental health episode.” Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung harshly criticized the official, suggesting their behavior was inappropriate for someone working at such a revered site. Cheung stated:

“We are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made. The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason, an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony.”

Campaign advisor Chris LaCivita further disparaged the official, calling them “a disgrace” and unworthy of representing the sacred grounds of Arlington National Cemetery.

Despite these claims, the Trump campaign has yet to provide any footage to substantiate their position. In response to the allegations, Arlington National Cemetery confirmed the incident and noted that a report was filed.

Cemetery officials reiterated that federal law strictly prohibits any political campaign activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, including photography or other partisan activities. They also emphasized that these regulations were clearly communicated and reinforced with all participants present.

Cemetery officials said that they had issued explicit legal guidance that said: “Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidate’s campaign.”

Officials added that the law and its prohibitions were also “reinforced and widely shared” with all participants on the day.