The blasphemy of the Trump campaign's latest tussle

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     August 28, 2024 I remember my first visit to Arlington National Cemetery. It was on a family trip to Washington, DC, when I was about 10. Even at that young age, I remember being struck by the solemnity and history of the place, its quiet atmosphere, and the guards dutifully standing watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In other words: It quickly became apparent that it was not a place where it would be acceptable to fight with my younger brother, a favorite pastime at that age. The Trump team, on the other hand, does not seem to have gotten the memo that a military graveyard is not an acceptable place for childish antics, let alone physical fighting. On Monday, two campaign staffers [reportedly got into a fight with a cemetery official]( during a wreath-laying ceremony to honor soldiers who had died in the United States’ [withdrawal]( from Afghanistan. (NPR first [reported]( the incident on Tuesday.) The cause of the tussle? The Trump campaign allegedly wanted to ensure that the former president would be photographed honoring the troops, even though federal law “prohibits political campaign or election-related activities,” including photographers, at the cemetery, according to an Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson. (And surprise, surprise: [They got their content](.) Team Trump has strenuously denied the claims of the fight, with communications director Steven Cheung issuing an incendiary rebuttal in which he claimed that the cemetery official involved was having an unspecified "mental health episode." Cheung has also threatened to release footage of the incident. Of course, disrespect for the military is not new for Trump: Remember when he [reportedly]( called Americans who died in war “suckers” and “losers," and [famously attacked]( the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)? [Read my full piece]( for everything you need to know about the alleged drama. And please, remember: Don't fight at Arlington National Cemetery...or any other graveyard. —Julianne McShane Advertisement [Heat, a History]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [Trump Staff Reportedly Fought at Military Graveyard to Get Good Photo for Social Media]( The Arlington National Cemetery does not allow partisan photo-ops. Trump staff reportedly engaged in a tussle over the policy. BY JULIANNE MCSHANE MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   THROW US A BONE? It’s the dog days of summer—that time of year when fundraising slows way down but expenses keep piling up as fast as ever. Our newsroom has a lot of hard, consequential work to do in the next few months, and that’s why we need your support right now. It’s simple: without it, we can’t do our job. [Every dollar you chip]( in will help us produce the journalism that is needed at this crucial moment. [Donate Now]( [Trending] [Inside one of the last hospitals in Gaza]( BY SOPHIE HURWITZ   [Trump's January 6 charges have been renewed—despite "absolute immunity"]( BY DAN FRIEDMAN   [Which climate policies work best? This new study offers clues.]( BY KATE YODER   [Masculinity influencers are pivoting to wildly antisemitic claimsÂ]( BY ANNA MERLAN Advertisement [Heat, a History]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [How Trump’s 2024 campaign became a bloody cage fight]( Just ask his incendiary spokesman, Steven Cheung. BY MICHAEL SOKOLOVE Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755