WASHINGTON — A US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a group of his senior advisers on Wednesday after some in the group laughed and talked near the solemn memorial following a Veterans Day ceremony.
Hegseth, his wife and some of his top aides were taking pictures in front of the tomb, a memorial to unidentified service members killed in battle located at Arlington National Cemetery.
The incident puts Hegseth’s name back in the headlines just one day after he narrowly dodged impeachment.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the sentinel called out, stopping his patrol to face the group.
Hegseth was standing and taking photos in front of the tomb with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh after attending the Veterans Day ceremony at which President Donald Trump laid a wreath in honor of fallen service members.
Some in the group were laughing and chatting after taking photos, prompting the soldier patrolling in front of the Tomb to yell out and correct them.
Hegseth made no acknowledgment of the reprimand, looking over his shoulder and continuing to walk up a set of stairs.
When asked for comment, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the “soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
“The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored—and will always honor—the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe. While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell said.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most sacred war memorials in the US, marking the final resting place of an unknown soldier who was killed in World War I. A soldier assigned to The Old Guard, or 3rd Infantry Regiment, has been guarding the tomb around the clock, rain or shine, since 1948. Foreign dignitaries, presidents, public figures and politicians frequently visit the Tomb to pay their respects to American service members.
Soldiers stand watch over the tomb 24 hours a day, complete with an elaborate changing of the guard ceremony that happens at least once every hour.
The defense secretary had been under renewed scrutiny and pressure in recent days after articles of impeachment were filed against him by outgoing GOP Rep. Thomas Massie. But in a procedural vote on Tuesday night, the GOP successfully blocked the impeachment process from moving forward, prompting Hegseth and his allies to claim vindication.
Hegseth stood accused by Massie of executing unlawful orders, including by waging war in Iran without congressional approval, ignoring laws about minimizing civilian casualties, and directing the Pentagon to carry out extrajudicial killings. In a press conference on Tuesday, Hegseth said the charges amounted to a policy dispute and not high crimes and misdemeanors.
President Donald Trump, who also faced criticism for behavior at Arlington National Cemetery when he filmed a campaign video there in 2024, stood by Hegseth leading up to Tuesday’s vote and vowed to continue supporting him moving forward.
Source: Saudi Gazette