ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 12 (TodayViralUSA) — A soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier publicly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his top aides at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, after laughter and chatter from the group broke the silence at one of the nation’s most solemn memorials.
Television pool video shows Hegseth walking up the steps in front of the memorial on Wednesday after posing for photographs, accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh. After a laugh is heard, the sentinel calls out: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.” Hegseth glances back toward the soldier and keeps walking.
Pentagon backs the guard
The Pentagon did not dispute the episode. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, adding that the secretary and the department “have always honored – and will always honor” the sacrifices of service members.
Hegseth was at the cemetery for the national Veterans Day ceremony, where President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance laid wreaths at the tomb and delivered remarks.
A familiar warning
Sentinels from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, have watched over the tomb around the clock since 1948, and calling out noisy visitors is part of the job. In an Army article cited by The Guardian, a relief commander said sentinels address loud crowds roughly two or three times a day, usually because visitors don’t realize how loud they are being.
Critics said a defense secretary should know better. Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger called the conduct “truly abhorrent” and said he was proud the rules were enforced “even in the face of the secretary of defense.”
A rough week for Hegseth
The rebuke came a day after the House voted 211-204 to block an effort to impeach Hegseth over his handling of the Iran war and other military operations. Democrats, who take control of both chambers in January, have signaled they intend to keep pressing the issue.
Sources & Credits
- The Guardian: Hegseth and aides scolded by guard for laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- The Washington Post: Hegseth and his entourage scolded by military sentinel at Tomb of the Unknowns
- USA Today: Guard scolds Hegseth, advisers for laughing at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
- NBC News: Hegseth group reprimanded by guard after Veterans Day event (video)
Image: Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (file photo) by Arlington National Cemetery, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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