The U.S. Army’s long-anticipated report on Donald Trump’s controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery in August has been released, but the report sheds little light on what actually happened that day.
The report was released Friday with heavy redactions in response to a court order after American Oversight, a government transparency group, filed a lawsuit. The Army’s report provides little information about the altercation between a cemetery official and Trump campaign staffers that had not already been made public.
Citing a “simple assault” offense, the report states:
While working at the Arlington National Cemetery, [redacted] with both of [redacted]hands while attempting to move past [redacted] did not require medical attention on scene and later refused when offered. [Redacted] rendered a sworn statement on a DA Form 2823 and stated [redacted] not want to press charges. Investigation continues by JBMHH PD Investigations Branch
The rest of the report, which includes a sworn statement from one of the people involved, is blacked out.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment on the report. The Army told Politico in a statement, “The law enforcement investigation into the incident remains open and we are therefore unable to provide further information at this time.”
In late August, Trump participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the military cemetery upon invitation from several Gold Star families. NPR first reported that an altercation had taken place when a cemetery employee tried to prevent the Trump campaign from filming and taking photographs of the Republican nominee visiting the graves of troops who were killed in Afghanistan in 2021. Federal law prohibits political campaigning or election-related activities within military cemeteries.
The cemetery employee filed a report to military police but declined to press charges, the Army said after the incident, adding that it considered the matter closed.
News of the incident set off a backlash against Trump, who has a history of denigrating service members and who more recently had to deny reports that he praised Adolf Hitler while in office. His campaign spokesperson, however, claimed that there had been no physical altercation and said the campaign was “prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made.” (No footage has been released to date.) Also in response, Trump criticized cemetery employees and painted himself as the victim of a smear campaign.
