Families of US soldiers killed during the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan said they had given “approval” to allow photos and videos to be taken at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday.
In joint statementDarin Huber and Kelly Barnett, parents of Staff Sergeant Taylor Huber, Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee, Gee's sister Misty Rose Foco, and Gee's aunt Cheryl Jewels explained that they had approved President Trump's “official videographer and photographer” to attend the ceremony.
The statements from the families of the fallen service members came following NPR's reporting. release The article claims that Trump campaign staff got into “altercations and physical altercations” with cemetery officials who tried to prevent them from taking videos and photos.
A source told the media that cemetery authorities had made it clear in Article 60 that “only cemetery staff have the authority to take photographs and videos.”
“We authorized President Trump's official videographer and photographer to participate in the ceremony to ensure that these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully recorded and that we can cherish these memories forever,” the families said in a joint statement.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 28, 2024
The families added that they were “deeply grateful” that Trump “took the time to honour their children” and “stayed with them” during their time of grief.
“We are deeply grateful that the President took the time to honor our children, stand with us in our grief, and offer his unwavering support during such a difficult time,” the families added in a statement. “His compassion and respect meant more than words can express.”
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Chang issued a statement in response to the allegations, noting that “there was no physical confrontation.”
“There was no physical confrontation as described and we are prepared to make the footage public if such defamatory allegations are made,” Chang said in a statement. “The facts are that a private cameraman was allowed on the premises and, for some reason, an anonymous individual who clearly suffered from mental illness decided to physically disturb a member of President Trump's team in the middle of a very solemn ceremony.”
in post On X, Chan shared a photo with the caption, “Only Trump can have official photographers and videographers outside the mainstream media.”
“Former President Trump is the only person allowed to bring official photographers and videographers outside of the main press corps,” the photo shared by Chan states. “Other attendees who wish to bring media must arrive by 7am and be integrated into the press corps. Due to limited space in the press corps, bringing additional media is not encouraged.”
We were allowed to send a photographer there. https://t.co/s2E9lNdksK pic.twitter.com/dXbZ03hwzB
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) August 27, 2024
President Trump was seen on Monday taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the 13 American soldiers who lost their lives during the Biden administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Darin Taylor Hoover's grandfather, Bill Barnett, left, and former Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump hold their hands over their hearts after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in memory of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. (Alex Brandon/The Associated Press)
