WASHINGTON — A U.S. Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Solider scolded Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and his senior advisers for not being respectful after some members in the group laughed while posing for pictures in front of the memorial.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all time,” yelled the sentinel, as the soldier guarding the tomb is known, prompting Hegseth and other members of the group to turn around as they were walking away from the memorial. The incident, which was captured by television cameras, took place after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to Hegseth, the group admonished by the sentinel included his chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, senior adviser Tami Radabaugh and Hegseth’s wife, Jennifer Hegseth. It was not clear which members of the group were laughing.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (C) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine (L) depart following the Department of War’s 2026 National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremony on the Pentagon River Terrace Parade Field on Sept. 18, 2026 in Arlington,Va. The ceremony honored American service members who were held as prisoners of war and later returned home, as well as those still listed as missing in action from past conflicts.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a statement that Hegseth “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 added.
The Tomb of the Unknown Solider is the burial site of an unidentifiable solider who was killed in World War I. It is a revered war memorial and guarded by a sentinel at all hours and in all weather.
Hegseth visited the tomb after the Veterans Day ceremony, which was attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Trump praised Hegseth in a speech at the event, saying that the Pentagon chief had done a “fantastic job” in his role.
More: Hegseth survives impeachment vote, but challenges loom for Pentagon chief
The incident puts Hegseth back in the spotlight a day after House Republicans banded together to squash an effort to impeach Hegseth. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, introduced articles of impeachment against the Pentagon chief for conducting overseas military operations, including the war in Iran, without congressional approval.
Trump had repeatedly backed Hegseth even as some Republicans urged the president to fire him and install a new leader at the Pentagon before Democrats regain control of Congress in January.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Guard scolds Hegseth, advisers for laughing at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
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