Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas and supporter of Donald Trump, addressed concerns from a Gold Star family regarding photos taken during Trump’s recent visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
Trump, who is the GOP presidential nominee, attended a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday to honor the 13 service members who lost their lives during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His invitation came from some of the families of the fallen heroes.
During his visit, Trump posed for photographs with the family of Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover, who died in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport. While the Hoover family permitted filming at the gravesite, the family of Master Sergeant Andrew Marckesano—whose grave is adjacent to Hoover’s—did not grant similar permission.
Michele Marckesano, Andrew’s sister, expressed her concerns to The New York Times, stating, “We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly.”
On NBC’s Meet the Press, Cotton was asked by host Kristen Welker about the concerns raised by the Marckesano family. He responded, “No, Kristen. They honored the wishes of the 13 families whose children died at Abbey Gate,” asserting that those families were the ones who requested the photos from Trump.
Welker then pointedly asked about the Marckesanos’ feelings in this situation, to which Cotton replied, “When you take a photo of your loved one, other headstones will be present as well. It’s disappointing that The New York Times found a family whose headstone appeared in that photo and tried to embarrass the families who wanted Trump there.”
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Additionally, reports surfaced about an incident between Trump’s team and a cemetery official who attempted to stop them from filming in Section 60, where many service members from Iraq and Afghanistan are buried. A U.S. Army spokesperson confirmed that attendees were informed about the regulations prohibiting political activities at the cemetery and mentioned that an Arlington employee, who tried to enforce these rules, was sidelined.
The spokesperson added it was unfortunate that the employee faced unjust criticism, noting a police report was filed but the employee opted not to pursue charges. The Trump campaign, however, refuted claims that they were warned about photography at the site, as well as allegations of pushing an Arlington official.