Son of John McCain Says Trump Team’s Cemetery Clash Violated ‘Sacred Place’

Jimmy McCain, a son of the Vietnam War P.O.W. and longtime Republican senator John McCain, said Tuesday that the campaign of former President Donald J. Trump had committed a “violation of a sacred place” when it clashed with an official at Arlington National Cemetery.

Mr. McCain, a first lieutenant in the Arizona National Guard, told The New York Times that he was “very shocked” by the confrontation at the cemetery last week, saying it could be an “extremely triggering” event for the families of service members buried there.

“Arlington National Cemetery is a very sacred place for not only veterans, but for their families,” Mr. McCain said. He added, “It’s very hallowed, sacred ground, and it should be left that way.”

The altercation occurred during a visit by Mr. Trump for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring 13 U.S. troops killed in the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Federal law prohibits taking photographs or filming for political purposes in that part of the cemetery, and the Army’s public affairs office defended a cemetery official who it said was pushed by a member of Mr. Trump’s staff after trying to prevent the campaign from filming in the restricted area.

A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign, Karoline Leavitt, said in a statement that there “has been no greater advocate for our brave military men and women than President Trump.” She added that Mr. Trump had avoided starting wars and putting “our troops in harm’s way.”

Mr. McCain, who also criticized the Trump campaign’s actions in an interview with CNN published earlier Tuesday, told The Times that he planned to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. He also said that he joined the Democratic Party about a month ago, after returning from a period of service in