Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his senior advisers were publicly rebuked by an Army sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday.
Loud laughter and conversation interrupted the solemn grounds following a Veterans Day ceremony. The incident occurred as Hegseth posed for photographs on the steps of the memorial alongside his wife, Jennifer Hegseth; chief of staff Ricky Buria; deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver; and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh. As the group broke apart, a sharp laugh carried across the memorial.
Sentinel Reprimand at Arlington
The guard intervened after the noise. The sentinel, a member of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment known as The Old Guard, raised his voice to address the breach in decorum. Television pool footage captured the soldier shouting across the steps.
All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.
Army sentinel, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Hegseth glanced back over his shoulder at the guard before continuing up the stairs, according to the Guardian’s reporting. Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a formal statement defending the soldier’s action.
It is not appropriate to laugh outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a member of the Army’s Old Guard reminds Hegseth’s group. On Veterans Day. pic.twitter.com/nA8AejwOJH
While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.
Sean Parnell, Pentagon Spokesperson
Parnell said the defense secretary and the entire department have always honored the sacrifices made by American service members.
Political Criticism Following the Incident
The Arlington reprimand unfolded just one day after the House of Representatives blocked a resolution to impeach Hegseth, halting an effort led by Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie over the defense secretary’s handling of military actions in Iran. President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers rallied to support Hegseth.
Critics seized on the cemetery incident to question his judgment. Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger said the defense secretary’s conduct was truly abhorrent. Democratic lawmakers also criticized the display. Rep. Gwen Moore said the episode demonstrated Hegseth’s utter lack of fitness for his office.
History of the Memorial Guard
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier marks the final resting place for unidentified U.S. service members from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Sentinels from the Old Guard have maintained a watch over the memorial 24 hours a day, rain or shine. Whether additional Pentagon measures will follow the public reprimand has not been answered.
This is truly abhorrent. Pete Hegseth doesn't know how to conduct himself, even at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. His behavior is unbecoming of any visitor to the Tomb, let alone that which comes from a Secretary of Defense. pic.twitter.com/lrTfOgQzBM
More on Unknown Soldier
Pete Hegseth continues to demonstrate his utter lack of fitness for his office. One day after narrowly avoiding impeachment, he shows his contempt for our men and women in uniform by disrespecting the sanctity of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. https://t.co/HBJizOL9GK
A Tomb Guard from the U. S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard” was forced to verbally reprimand Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and a group of his senior advisers Wednesday after some in the group laughed and loudly talked in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier… pic.twitter.com/0aUPB4QBXT
A U. S. Army guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stopped his patrol to call out Pete Hegseth's group: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!" Some were laughing and chatting at the memorial after a Veterans Day ceremony.…
