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The military’s report on the incident at Trump Arlington Cemetery has been released, but is almost entirely redacted
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The military’s report on the incident at Trump Arlington Cemetery has been released, but is almost entirely redacted

The long-awaited US Army report on Donald Trumpit’s controversial visit to Arlington National Cemetery in August was released, but the report sheds little light on what actually happened that day.

The report was released Friday with heavy redactions in response to a court order after American Oversight, a government transparency group, filed a lawsuit. The Army report provides little information about altercation between a cemetery official and Trump campaign staffers which had not already been made public.

Citing a crime of “simple assault,” the report states:

While working at Arlington National Cemetery, (redacted) with both hands (redacted) while trying to pass (redacted) did not require medical attention at the scene and later refused when offered. (Exported) made an affidavit on a DA Form 2823 and stated (expressed) that he did not want to press charges. The investigation is ongoing by the JBMHH PD Investigations Directorate

The rest of the report, which includes an affidavit from one of the people involved, is black.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to NBC News request for comment per report. The military told Politico in a statement, “The law enforcement investigation into the incident remains open and therefore we are unable to provide additional information at this time.”

In late August, Trump attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the military cemetery at the invitation of several Gold Star families. NPR first reported it that an altercation occurred when a cemetery employee tried to prevent the Trump campaign from filming and photographing the Republican nominee visiting the graves of troops who were killed in Afghanistan in 2021. Federal law prohibits political campaigning or election-related activities within the military . cemeteries.

Cemetery employee filed military police report but declined to press charges, Army said after the incident, adding that he considered the matter closed.

The news of the incident started a backlash against Trumpwho has a history of disparaging service members and who more recently had to deny reports that he praised Adolf Hitler while in office. However, his campaign spokesman claimed no physical altercation took place and said the campaign was “prepared to release images if such defamatory claims are made”. (No record has been released to date.) Also, in response, Trump criticized the cemetery employees and painted himself as the victim of a smear campaign.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com