O'Hara, who served at Arlington for three years during his military tenure, took to social media to commend Trump's dignified conduct at the event. This comes amidst reports of a clash between the Trump campaign and cemetery staff over the alleged violation of photography rules during the ceremony.
According to Fox News, the Trump campaign has been under fire following allegations that they disregarded warnings from cemetery staff against taking photographs at the event held on Monday. However, O'Hara's account paints a different picture. "I have witnessed over 75 wreath laying ceremonies performed by politicians and conducted 524 funerals in this cemetery during the time I served in the Presidential Honor Guard for three years. What I got to witness yesterday was the most respectful and solemn ceremony I have seen," O'Hara stated.
WATCH: KAMALA'S DEBATE AND FIRST INTERVIEW HAD IDENTICAL REHEARSED ANSWERS
O'Hara further elaborated on the solemnity of the event, stating, "There were no speeches, no angles, no weird photo ops just our elected officials and the 45th President respectfully and solemnly honoring the fallen and their families."
The ceremony was held in honor of the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives while defending the Kabul airport during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. In a statement, several parents of the fallen service members confirmed that they had given permission for a Trump campaign photographer to document the event.
DESANTIS VOWS TO FULLY INVESTIGATE SECOND TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
However, a report from NPR alleges that two Trump campaign staff members "verbally abused and pushed" a cemetery official who attempted to prevent them from filming and taking photos. A defense official also informed The Associated Press that the campaign had been cautioned by cemetery staff against taking photographs at the event.
WATCH: THIS IS TIM WALZ'S WIFE
A cemetery official clarified the rules in a statement, saying, "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 official confirmed that an incident had occurred and a report was filed.
RIFLE IN THE BUSHES, SMILES IN COURT—CHILLING DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT 'WACKO' RYAN ROUTH...
In response to these allegations, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung contended that the staff member who obstructed the campaign photographers seemed to be experiencing a "mental health episode." He also clarified that the campaign had received permission to bring a photographer.
TWO NYC FIRE CHIEFS ARRESTED AFTER RETIRING ON MAYOR ADAMS WATCH!
Trump's presence at the event was at the request of the family members of the soldiers who were tragically killed in the Kabul bombing. Expressing their gratitude, five of the family members wrote, "We are deeply grateful to the president for taking the time to honor our children and for standing alongside us in our grief, offering his unwavering support during such a difficult time. His compassion and respect meant more than words can express."
