Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reprimanded Wednesday by an Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier who asked him and his guests to maintain an atmosphere of “silence and respect.”
Hegseth, his wife, Jennifer, and some of his top aides were taking pictures, talking and laughing in front of the tomb, a memorial to unidentified service members killed in battle located at Arlington National Cemetery. Hegseth had been attending a Veterans Day ceremony at which President Donald Trump laid a wreath in honor of fallen service members.
The incident puts Hegseth’s name back in the headlines just one day after he narrowly dodged impeachment.
Hegseth and his wife were taking pictures alongside some of his top aides when the sentinel shouted at the group: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
Hegseth made no acknowledgment of the reprimand, looking over his shoulder and continuing to walk up a set of stairs.
Asked for comment on the interaction, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth and the department “have always honored” service members’ sacrifices.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell said in a statement.
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.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a vocal critic of the Iran war who was unseated following a Trump-led effort, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth this week. The Republican-led House voted 211-204 to shelve the resolution. But Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is poised to become speaker of the House come January, has signaled Democrats will not dial back efforts to oust Hegseth.
Hegseth has downplayed the efforts, calling them “political spectacle.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed support for Hegseth, and he has said he would back him even if he were to be impeached.