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Names of Trump staffers involved in alleged physical altercation at Arlington National Cemetery

Posted on by angelo
Names of Trump staffers involved in alleged physical altercation at Arlington National Cemetery

Donald Trump gave a thumbs-up at a soldier's grave at Arlington National Cemetery last month. It was later alleged that members of his staff got into an argument with cemetery staff. The names of the staff members have now been released. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)

Donald Trump gave a thumbs-up at a soldier’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery last month. It was later alleged that members of his staff got into an argument with cemetery staff. The names of the staff members have now been released. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)

The two Trump staffers involved in a confrontation with Arlington National Cemetery staff have been named.

The previously unidentified duo were revealed as Donald Trump’s deputy campaign manager Justin Caporale and advance team member Michael Picard, according to NPR.

Caporale previously served as an aide to first lady Melania Trump. He left the White House to work for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before joining Trump’s 2024 campaign. He was also a project manager for the Jan. 6 rally where Trump urged the crowd to “stop the steal” ahead of the Capitol riot, according to NPR.

The outlet said it identified the two men as being involved after Trump denied the incident took place.

The Independent has contacted the Trump campaign for comment.

Donald Trump gave a thumbs-up at a soldier's grave at Arlington National Cemetery last month. It was later alleged that members of his staff got into an argument with cemetery staff. The names of the staff members have now been released. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)Donald Trump gave a thumbs-up at a soldier's grave at Arlington National Cemetery last month. It was later alleged that members of his staff got into an argument with cemetery staff. The names of the staff members have now been released. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)

Donald Trump gave a thumbs-up at a soldier’s grave at Arlington National Cemetery last month. It was later alleged that members of his staff got into an argument with cemetery staff. The names of the staff members have now been released. (Utah Gov. Spencer Cox)

After NPR reached out to the two people involved, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung responded: “I see you’ve sent emails to some of our staff… As the military has said, they consider this matter closed. President Trump was there to support the Gold Star families and honor the sacrifices their loved ones made.”

Trump’s visit to Arlington on August 26 sparked anger after he went to the cemetery to lay a wreath in honor of the 13 service members killed in the Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan during the 2021 US withdrawal.

After the ceremony, Trump visited Section 60 – where recently killed soldiers are buried – at the invitation of some of the fallen soldiers’ families.

There he was photographed and gave a thumbs up near some graves.

Shortly after the visit, it was revealed that members of Trump’s campaign team were involved in an alleged physical confrontation with cemetery staff.

Arlington rules state that only official photographers can take pictures or film in Section 60. When an Arlington staffer tried to enforce the rules, two Trump campaign staffers, now identified as Caporale and Picard, allegedly shoved the employee.

Immediately after the incident, Cheung threatened to release footage of the incident and attacked the Arlington employee, claiming they were suffering from a “mental health” issue. Trump attempted to deny that the incident had occurred.

The military later released a statement saying the staff member had been removed.

“Participants at the August 26 ceremony and the subsequent Article 60 tour were briefed on federal laws, Army regulations, and Department of Defense policies that clearly prohibit political activity at cemeteries,” the statement said. “An ANC employee who attempted to ensure compliance was abruptly removed.”

The matter was reported to the police, but the staff member concerned declined to press charges. The military now considers the case “closed.”