A spokesperson for Donald Trump’s campaign forcefully denied a report that two staffers were involved in a physical altercation with an official at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, even as the cemetery confirmed that an incident occurred and a report was filed.
According to NPR, which cited a source with knowledge of the situation, two campaign staffers allegedly got into a verbal and physical confrontation with an official who attempted to prevent them from entering a restricted section of the cemetery. Trump was at the cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony at the time.
Steven Cheung, a campaign spokesperson known for his assertive statements, strongly denied any altercation took place. In a statement to NPR, Cheung said, “We are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made.”
Cheung continued, “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.”
Despite Cheung’s categorical denial, Arlington National Cemetery confirmed to NPR that an incident did occur and that a report was filed. The cemetery also noted that political campaigns are prohibited under federal law from engaging in election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about what exactly transpired during Trump’s visit, with the cemetery’s confirmation of an incident standing in stark contrast to the campaign’s denial.