Cemetery Clash

Plus, extraordinary in an "ordinary" job.

August 30, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Friday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Former elected official found guilty of murdering Las Vegas veteran reporter (NPR)

  • World: A Hong Kong court convicts 2 journalists in a landmark sedition case (AP)

  • Business: Nvidia shares fall on slowing growth and production concerns (The Guardian)

  • Technology: Apple’s new iOS developer beta lets you remove objects from pictures using AI (TechCrunch)

  • Sports: Dodgers star makes MLB history after catching first pitch from his dog (Yahoo Sports)

And of course, some good news: Mom struggled to accept cafeteria job at her kids’ school. A 6-year-old’s note changed everything.

BECOME A FLAG BEARER

Did you miss the last Sunday newsletter about how an American town was accidentally bombed? If you did, click here to become a premium subscriber.

🌕 Sneak Peak: From bustling Philadelphia to the serene Potomac, discover the surprising twists and turns leading to Washington, D.C. becoming America’s capital. Spoiler: It wasn’t a straight shot!

POWERED BY MONEY

Protect against rising vet costs with pet insurance

The cost of veterinary services has been rising recently, with some common surgical procedures costing up to $7,000. Pet insurance can help cover accidents, illnesses, and even routine care, with some plans reimbursing up to 90% of costs. Our Best Pet Insurance list can help you find affordable coverage starting at just $10 a month so you can focus on what matters most – your furry friend's well-being. Our Best Pet Insurance list can help you find affordable coverage starting at just $10 a month so you can focus on what matters most – your furry friend's well-being.

Right: Democrats for Trump, Editorial Board, Washington Times

Right: Raffensperger Is in Costly Litigation Over False Claims, Mollie Hemingway, The Federalist

Right: With Campaign at Full Tilt, Jack Smith Strikes Again, Byron York, Washington Examiner

Left: After Chicago: The Challenge Facing Harris, Robert Borosage, The Nation

Left: Build, Baby, Build, Harold Meyerson, American Prospect

TRUMP

Cemetery Clash

Today’s Top Story: On Monday, during a visit to Arlington National Cemetary, a dispute erupted after Trump campaign staffers were stopped from taking photos in a restricted area, which led to an NPR report that has now sparked partisan discourse and coverage over respect for U.S. service members.

Reporting from the Right: JD Vance tells Kamala Harris to ‘go to hell’ after her campaign takes aim at Trump over Arlington incident (New York Post)

Reporting from the Left: Trump's Arlington Cemetery dispute escalates (Axios)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Trump Campaign Disputes NPR Reporting

The Top Argument From The Right: Trump campaign disputes allegations of an altercation during Arlington wreath-laying ceremony Brady Knox, Washington Examiner: “The Trump campaign was quick to dispute the events, reported by NPR. Its response was backed by the family members of several of the victims. ‘There was no physical altercation as described and we are prepared to release footage if such defamatory claims are made,’ Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung told the Washington Examiner in a 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.’ Trump’s team has not released footage of the alleged encounter. Trump campaign manager and Marine Corps veteran Chris LaCivita backed up the telling of events, calling the person who challenged the campaign staff ‘despicable.’ … Cheung said the campaign photographer was approved beforehand. The source alleging the altercation told NPR that the photographer was not approved in a certain section of the cemetery, where the alleged altercation took place.”

Honorable Mention #1: Trump Manages to Spoil One of Our Few Remaining Sacred Spaces, Will Selber, The Bulwark.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Pure Contempt

The Top Argument From The Left: The Trump Campaign Is Now Running on Pure Contempt, Chris Lehman, The Nation: “Trump and his handlers had barged into Section 60 of the cemetery grounds, where recent war fatalities are laid to rest, in order to photograph the candidate at the gravesites of 13 soldiers killed during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The event culminated in a typically tasteless and inapposite shot of Trump giving a smiling thumbs-up at the site—not exactly a study in somber, statesmanlike mourning. … Trump and his entourage had callously violated the cemetery’s strictures against using the graves of soldiers as a political backdrop, along with its policy against having anyone other than Arlington staff members take official photos there. … Pressed for comment on the incident, the Trump campaign went into high-dudgeon overdrive. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, fiercely denied that there was a physical altercation… ‘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.’ That’s right: Cheung smeared the Arlington official trying to prevent the exploitation of the cemetery grounds for political gain as a random, erratic character in the midst of ‘a mental health episode’…”

Honorable Mention #1: Veterans Groups Condemn Trump’s Arlington National Cemetery Photo Op, Zachary Folk, Daily Beast.

Honorable Mention #2: Trump Tries New Excuse for Messy Fight at Arlington National Cemetery, Hafiz Rashid, The New Republic.

FLAG THIS

Arlington National Cemetery’s Rules

Arlington National Cemetery's media policy prohibits filming and photographing for partisan, political, or fundraising purposes in accordance with the Hatch Act. This federal law restricts political activities by individuals employed by executive agencies or funded by federal grants.

Regarding the altercation with the Trump camping, the cemetery confirmed that an incident occurred, leading to a report, but did not provide further details. They emphasized that political campaign activities are strictly forbidden within the cemetery, and the policy had been clearly communicated to all participants (The Hill).

Do you believe it's appropriate for a politician to use a cemetery visit honoring veterans as a campaign photo-op?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

WATERCOOLER

SCOTUS Milestone, Interview the Interviewer, Relativity

On This Day in 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice. He would remain on the Supreme Court for 24 years before retiring for health reasons, leaving a legacy of upholding the individual's rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

POWERED BY MONEY

The cost of veterinary services has been rising recently, with some common surgical procedures costing up to $7,000. Pet insurance can help cover accidents, illnesses, and even routine care, with some plans reimbursing up to 90% of costs. Our Best Pet Insurance list can help you find affordable coverage starting at just $10 a month so you can focus on what matters most – your furry friend's well-being. Our Best Pet Insurance list can help you find affordable coverage starting at just $10 a month so you can focus on what matters most – your furry friend's well-being.

Reply

or to participate.