A soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier issued a verbal reprimand to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, according to video footage. The incident occurred after Hegseth and his team took photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb, prompting the soldier to remind them to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect. The reprimand comes as Hegseth faces criticism from lawmakers, including an effort to impeach him that narrowly failed on Tuesday.
At a Glance
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff were verbally reprimanded by a soldier at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- The incident occurred after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
- Hegseth faces criticism from lawmakers, including an effort to impeach him that narrowly failed on Tuesday.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Incident
The video footage shows Hegseth and his team taking photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb, with a loud laugh audible as they broke from taking photos. The soldier guarding the tomb then shouted that 'all visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.' Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's top spokesman, said that 'while commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.'
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is considered one of the most solemn and revered war memorials in the U.S., housing the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. It has been guarded around the clock by a soldier from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as 'The Old Guard,' since 1948.
Hegseth's Criticism and Impeachment Effort
Hegseth and his team were at the tomb as part of a larger ceremony commemorating Veterans Day, which was also attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The incident comes as Hegseth faces criticism from lawmakers, including an effort to impeach him that narrowly failed on Tuesday. The effort was led by Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats.
Hegseth rebuked the effort in his first news conference in months, portraying Massie as a rogue lawmaker and arguing he had committed none of the high crimes required in the Constitution for his removal. A core part of his argument included the assertion that criticisms of him and his handling of the U.S. military were tantamount to an indictment against the nation's service members.
Veterans Day Ceremony and Arlington National Cemetery
The Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, among others. Hegseth and his team were part of the larger ceremony, taking photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb before the incident occurred.
Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery located in Arlington, Virginia, and is the final resting place for many American service members. The cemetery is also home to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded around the clock by a soldier from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment.
What to Watch Next
As Hegseth faces criticism from lawmakers, including an effort to impeach him that narrowly failed on Tuesday, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact his tenure as Defense Secretary. The Pentagon's top spokesman, Sean Parnell, said that 'while commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.'
The incident at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier serves as a reminder of the solemnity and reverence that is expected at such a hallowed site. As the nation continues to honor its service members on Veterans Day, it is clear that the incident will not be soon forgotten.
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