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Trump entourage accused of shoving staff at hallowed US military cemetery

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1 year ago

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Arlington National Cemetery confirmed there had been an ‘incident’ at the location, after the presidential candidate’s visit on Monday

Donald Trump was embroiled in controversy on Wednesday after a report that his entourage shoved staff during a politicised visit to the United States’s most hallowed resting place for its war dead.

National Public Radio reported late on Tuesday that an Arlington National Cemetery official tried to prevent the Republican’s aides from filming and photographing in a section reserved for those killed in recent wars – and where filming is banned.

Trump employees responded by shoving and verbally abusing the official, the report said.

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Arlington National Cemetery confirmed on Wednesday there had been an “incident” at the location, after the 78-year-old Republican presidential candidate’s visit on Monday.

A military funeral for US Marine Corps Staff Sergeant. Darin Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in 2021. Photo: US Army / Elizabeth Fraser / Handout via Reuters

 

Accompanied by top election aides, Trump was taking part in a wreath-laying with family members of some of the 13 service members killed three years ago in Kabul during the desperate last hours of the US pull-out from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year war against the Taliban.

Trump was invited to the ceremony by the families. He has made criticism of President Joe Biden’shandling of the final US retreat from Afghanistan a keynote of his re-election campaign, arguing that he would have managed the withdrawal in the face of a sudden and complete Taliban victory better.

The withdrawal was made as part of a peace deal signed by the Trump administration with the Taliban in Doha in February 2020.

After the visit to Arlington cemetery, Trump’s campaign posted a photo of the former president standing with the relatives and giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Arlington National Cemetery, just outside Washington, said “federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidate’s campaign.”

The cemetery “reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants”, it said.

Trump’s campaign co-manager Chris LaCivita issued a very different interpretation of the dispute, saying a “despicable individual” had blocked the former president’s team.

It is “a disgrace and does not deserve to represent the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery”, he said.

Trump also posted a statement on social media attributed to relatives of victims of the 2021 bombing, which said they had approved having Trump’s media team present.

The Abbey Gate suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport killed scores of local people and 13 American troops – the last US troops to die in the war.

The uproar over the Arlington incident is the latest in a long line of controversies over Trump’s relationship with the military.

While often touting his support for the armed forces, he privately mocked the war dead while president and did not want to be seen near military amputees, according to his former chief of staff.

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Politics

IMO ON GLOBAL SPOTLIGHT AS GOVERNOR UZODIMMA KICKS OFF 2025 IMO ECONOMIC SUMMIT.

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9 minutes ago

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December 5, 2025

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The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.

The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.

His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.

“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”

According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.

“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.

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President Tinubu Transmits to The Senate Lists Of Ambassadorial Nominees

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15 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.

Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.

The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

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PRESIDENT TINUBU FORWARDS NEW AMBASSADORIAL LIST TO SENATE, NOMINATES DAMBAZAU, IBAS, CHIOMA OHAKIM AND OTHERS

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20 hours ago

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December 4, 2025

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By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
4-DEC- 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has submitted a fresh set of ambassadorial nominations to the Senate, featuring a mix of distinguished public figures and seasoned professionals drawn from across the country.

Among the notable nominees are former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; former Chief of Naval Staff and immediate past sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; former senator Ita Enang; and Mrs. Chioma Ohakim, former First Lady of Imo State.

The President formally transmitted two comprehensive lists containing 34 career and 31 non-career ambassadorial nominees, bringing the total number of nominees awaiting Senate confirmation to 68.

The newly submitted lists mark another significant step in the administration’s ongoing diplomatic restructuring, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s representation and presence across global missions.

The Senate is expected to commence screening and confirmation proceedings in the coming days.

 

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