Jimmy Williams
A federal judge has mandated the release of Army records related to former President Donald Trump’s controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery this past summer, following a legal battle sparked by a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The ruling was handed down by Senior Judge Paul Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Tuesday, as part of a lawsuit brought by American Oversight, a non-partisan watchdog organization.
The lawsuit seeks to uncover government records pertaining to Trump’s visit on August 26, during which he participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The event marked the anniversary of the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers killed in a terrorist bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2021. The visit, which also included a stop at Section 60, where many U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, sparked controversy after images of Trump smiling and giving a thumbs-up near service members’ graves were later used in his campaign ads.
American Oversight, the group that initiated the legal action, argued that the public has a right to know how the government handled the incident, particularly given Trump’s history of politicizing the military.
“With the election just two weeks away, the American people have a clear and compelling interest in knowing how the government responded to an alleged incident involving a major presidential candidate,” said Chioma Chukwu, the group’s interim executive director, following the court’s order.
The controversy deepened after reports emerged that a Trump campaign staffer allegedly pushed aside an Army employee who attempted to stop campaign workers from filming in the cemetery, a clear violation of federal laws and Department of Defense policies prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds. While the employee chose not to press charges, the incident was condemned by Army officials. However, they declined to take further disciplinary action and released few additional details.
Several Democratic lawmakers have called for a full release of the Army’s report on the incident, but the Trump campaign has denied any wrongdoing. Trump’s staff has shared statements from families of fallen troops involved in the visit, praising the former president’s kindness and support during the event.
Despite promises to release video evidence showing compliance with cemetery rules, the Trump campaign has not yet provided such proof.
The court order requires the Army to make public “responsive, non-exempt records” related to the incident. However, the release may still protect the identity of the employee who claimed to have been assaulted. Army officials have not provided a specific timeline for when the information will be made available to the public, but they must comply with the court’s deadline by the end of this week.