Families of American servicemembers who were killed during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan revealed that they had given “approval” for photos and videos to be taken at Arlington Cemetery on Monday.
In a joint statement, Darrin Hoover and Kelly Barnett, the parents of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover; Christy Shamblin, the mother-in-law of Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee; Misty Rose Fuoco, Gee’s sister; and Cheryl Juels, Gee’s aunt, explained that they had given the approval for Trump’s “official videographer and photographer” to attend the ceremony.
The statement from the family members of the fallen servicemembers comes after NPR released an article claiming that Trump campaign staff had gotten into a “verbal and physical altercation” with a cemetery official who had attempted to prevent them from taking videos and photos.
A source informed the outlet that cemetery officials had supposedly “made clear that only cemetery staff members are authorized to take photographs or film” in Section 60.
“We had given our approval for President Trump’s official videographer and photographer to attend the event, ensuring these sacred moments of remembrance were respectfully captured and so we can cherish these memories forever,” the families said in the joint statement.
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 28, 2024
The families added that they were “deeply grateful” that Trump had taken “the time to honor” their children and “for standing alongside” the families as they dealt with their grief.
“We are deeply grateful to the president for taking the time to honor our children and for standing alongside us in our grief, offering his unwavering support during such a difficult time,” the families added in their statement. “His compassion and respect meant more than words can express.”
Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung issued a statement in response to the allegations, and noted that “there was no physical altercation.”
“There was no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made,” Cheung said in his statement. “The fact is that a private photographer was permitted on the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony.”
In a post on X, Cheung shared a photo that stated “only” Trump could “have an official photographer and/or videographer outside of the main media pool.”
“Only former President Trump may have an official photographer and/or videographer outside of the main media pool,” the photo shared by Cheung said. “If any other attendees DVs would like to bring media, they must arrive at 7:00 a.m. and be incorporated into the press pool. We recommend against bringing additional media due to limited space available in the press pool.”
We were granted access to have a photographer there. https://t.co/s2E9lNdksK pic.twitter.com/dXbZ03hwzB
— Steven Cheung (@TheStevenCheung) August 27, 2024
On Monday, Trump honored the 13 fallen American servicemembers who lost their lives during the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and was seen taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony.
Bill Barnett, left, grandfather of Darin Taylor Hoover, and Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump place their hands over their hearts after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider in honor of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, August 26, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia. (Alex Brandon/AP)
