POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Cox issues statement after using photos taken at Arlington for campaigning

Aug 28, 2024, 6:43 PM | Updated: 6:44 pm

Gov. Spencer Cox walks with former President Donald Trump during a press event at Arlington Nationa...

Gov. Spencer Cox walks with former President Donald Trump during a press event at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Arlington, Va. (Spencer Cox)

(Spencer Cox)

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said that photos taken at Arlington National Cemetery with Former President Donald Trump were not supposed to be used in his campaign materials.

On Wednesday, Alan Wessman posted an image on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, of a Cox’s campaign email with photos of the governor and Trump at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

In his post, Wessman, a United Utah Party candidate for Utah County Commission, stated, “Arlington National Cemetery forbids use of its grounds for political events.” He claimed that since the original photo was for a private memorial service, it could not be used in campaign mailers.

In the image of the campaign email that Wessman shared, the email shows options for supporters to “donate” or “host a yard sign.”

According to the Arlington National Cemetery media policy, the “ANC will not authorize any filming for partisan, political or fundraising purposes, in accordance with the Hatch Act, 32 CFR 553, and AR 360-1.”

Cox responded to Wessman’s post on his personal X account, saying, “You are correct Alan. This was not a campaign event and was never intended to be used by the campaign. It did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent. My campaign will be sending out an apology.”

Wessman later posted an image of an email from Cox’s campaign, apologizing for using the photos in campaign mailers.

“The email did not go through the proper channels and should not have been sent,” the email stated. “Honoring those who serve should never be ‘political.'”

Wessman noted that the new email did not have buttons for donating or claiming a yard sign for the sign, and while the body did not explicitly apologize, the title of the email was “Apology Regarding My Last Email.”

The photos stem from Cox being joined by Trump at the Arlington National Cemetery on Monday to honor Staff Sergeant Darin Taylor Hoover and the other victims of the 2021 Abbey Gate attack.

During the event, Trump and Cox took photos of Hoover’s family beside his gravestone. A post from Cox’s official X account shows Trump and Hoover’s family giving a thumbs-up gesture.

“There is no greater sacrifice than giving one’s life in defense of our country. It was my solemn privilege to stand alongside the family of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery today as we paid tribute to his legacy and the 12 others who lost their lives three years ago at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan,” Cox said in the post.

According to the Deseret News, Cox also invited President Joe Biden to join him at Arlington National Cemetery and offered to arrange a meeting between Biden and Hoover’s family.

“I know that you and I disagree strongly on the Afghanistan withdrawal from a strategic and moral perspective and our credibility on the world stage,” Cox wrote, according to a copy of the letter obtained by the Deseret News. “However, I know we also agree that the loss of those brave men and women was a terrible tragedy.”

While Biden did not attend the memorial, his office did release a statement honoring those who were hurt and killed in the attack.

The Associated Press, citing the Defense Casualty Analysis System, reported that during the Trump presidency — from Jan. 20, 2017, to Jan. 20, 2021 — there were 45 combat deaths among U.S. service members in Afghanistan. There were also 18 “non-hostile” deaths AP states.

Trump criticized Biden on Truth Social about the Afghanistan withdrawal, calling it “the most EMBARRASSING moment in the history of our Country.”

The Trump campaign also faced backlash for taking photos at Arlington National Cemetery. The Associated Press reported that the campaign was warned not to take photographs during the wreath-laying ceremony.

According to the Associated Press, “two Trump campaign staff members ‘verbally abused and pushed’ aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

The Associated Press reported that Arlington National Cemetery officials stated that an “incident” took place and was reported, but they did not go into detail about what happened.

On Tuesday, Trump posted on Truth Social a statement from the Hoovers and other military family members saying that Trump and his team “conducted themselves with nothing but the most respect and dignity” at the event.

The statement also said that the family members approved of Trump’s videographer and photographer attending the event.

Trump’s TikTok account posted a video of him meeting with military family members and Cox during the Arlington visit with a link directing people to TikTok’s 2024 Elections Center.

According to TikTok, the social media platform links the election information page to any account associated with the government, politicians, or political parties, including the Kamala Harris account.

@realdonaldtrumpShould have never happened.♬ original sound – President Donald J Trump

KSL 5 TV Live

Politics & Elections

A new bill being debated this legislative session could provide hundreds of more high school kids w...

Dan Rascon

New Utah bill could provide technical education to hundreds more high school students

A new bill being debated this legislative session could open the door for hundreds of more high school kids to technical careers—before they graduate.

4 hours ago

The Utah State Capitol stands in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tues...

Daniella Rivera

‘Damaging’ sexual assault language removed from crime data collection bill

A section in a crime data collection bill filed two weeks ago had sexual assault survivors, experts and advocates sounding alarm bells.

6 hours ago

FILE (Getty Images)...

Daniel Woodruff

Some DUI convicts in Utah may have ‘no alcohol sale’ stamped on ID under new bill

A proposal in the Legislature would require certain Utahns convicted of DUI to carry a special driver’s license stating they are not allowed to buy alcohol.

10 hours ago

commercial driver's license...

Daniel Woodruff

Santaquin police sergeant’s death prompts proposal to tighten commercial driver’s license rules

HB375 would not allow someone to receive a commercial driver’s license in Utah if they have been convicted in the last three years of certain crimes.

10 hours ago

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's choice to be the Director of National Intelligence, arrives...

David Klepper, Associated Press

Senate confirms Gabbard as Trump’s director of national intelligence after Republicans fall in line

The Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence.

16 hours ago

Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office at the White H...

David Bauder, AP Media Writer

White House bars AP reporter from Oval Office because of AP style policy on ‘Gulf of America’

The White House blocked an Associated Press reporter from attending an event in the Oval Office after demanding AP alter its style on the Gulf of Mexico, which President Donald Trump has ordered renamed to the Gulf of America.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Cox issues statement after using photos taken at Arlington for campaigning