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The Pentagon’s Quiet Attempt to Keep Out of the Trump Arlington Cemetery Controversy

Lawmakers are still waiting on the incident report.

Former President Donald Trump and Former U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart
Trump attended a memorial ceremony with Gold Star families in August at Arlington National Cemetery. Alex Brandon/AP

Lawmakers are still waiting on the Pentagon for more details about what happened between Donald Trump’s campaign and Arlington National Cemetery staff during last month’s memorial service for soldiers who died during the Afghanistan withdrawal. The Pentagon appears to be hoping the lawmakers just forget about it.

Department of Defense officials informally told at least one congressional office to let the issue fade into the background, a congressional aide told NOTUS, conveying the message that the Army wants to keep its distance from 2024’s political mudslinging. The aide said the Pentagon asked offices on both sides of the aisle to move on from the incident.

When reached for comment the Department of Defense referred NOTUS to the Department of the Army.