US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff were verbally reprimanded by a guard at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Veterans Day commemorations, after laughter was heard from the group. The incident comes a day after Hegseth narrowly survived an impeachment attempt led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie.
Video footage of the incident shows Hegseth posing on the steps of the tomb with his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh. As the group broke from taking photos, a loud laugh could be heard, and the sentinel shouted: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded continuously since 1948 by the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, holds the unidentified remains of service members from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It is considered one of the most solemn war memorials in the country.
Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledged the incident, saying that "while commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum." He added that "the secretary and the entire department have always honoured – and will always honour – the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe."
The reprimand took place as Hegseth and other administration figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, attended official Veterans Day ceremonies. Trump gave Hegseth a shout-out during his cemetery speech, remarking, "I had a feeling that was going to happen."
The impeachment attempt, which Hegseth survived in the House the day before, was led by Massie and supported by Democrats. Republicans referred the resolution to a committee, effectively killing it. Hegseth rebuked the effort in a news conference, portraying Massie as a rogue legislator and arguing that criticisms of him and his handling of the US military were tantamount to an indictment of the nation's service members and their successes. “On the eve of Veterans Day, these resolutions tell every one of them that their service was a crime,” he said. “This is not patriotism. This is sabotage.”
Democrats were quick to respond to the Arlington incident. Representative Gwen Moore of Wisconsin wrote that the episode showed Hegseth's "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," she said.
Hegseth is likely to face another impeachment attempt when Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives in January.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a revered war memorial; the reprimand raises questions about respect for military sacrifice among top defense officials.
- Hegseth's political future remains uncertain as impeachment efforts are expected to resume when Democrats take control of Congress.
- The episode highlights deepening partisan tensions in Washington ahead of the power transition.
Background
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery contains unidentified American service members from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It has been guarded around the clock by sentinels from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment since 1948. Hegseth, who became defense secretary in 2025, has faced ongoing controversy, including the impeachment attempt led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie over his handling of the Iran war and other actions.
Key Perspectives
Pete Hegseth: He defended himself against the impeachment effort, portraying Massie as a rogue legislator and arguing that criticisms of his military policies are an indictment of service members, calling the effort "sabotage" rather than patriotism. His spokesman confirmed the Arlington reprimand and said the department always honours service members' sacrifices.
Representative Gwen Moore (Democrat, Wisconsin): Called the reprimand evidence of Hegseth's "utter lack of fitness for his office" and said he showed "contempt" for the military by disrespecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
What to Watch
- A renewed impeachment attempt when Democrats assume control of the House in January.
- Any further official response or investigation into the Arlington incident.
- Hegseth's standing within the administration amid growing opposition.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
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- SupportedA guard reprimanded a group that included Hegseth at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after people in the party laughed.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “A guard at Arlington Cemetery had to reprimand a group that included US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth for laughing outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day ceremony.”
- SupportedPentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded the group to maintain decorum.RTÉ News: “Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's top spokesman, said that "while commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum".”
- SupportedThe incident came the day after Hegseth survived an impeachment attempt led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats.RTÉ News: “The incident comes less than a day after Mr Hegseth narrowly survived an effort to impeach him by legislators in Congress yesterday afternoon. The effort was led by Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats.”
- SupportedVideo showed Hegseth posing with his wife Jennifer, Ricky Buria, Patrick Weaver and Tami Radabaugh.RTÉ News: “Video shows Mr Hegseth taking photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb with his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.”
- SupportedThe sentinel shouted, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Sentinel on duty immediately barked: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.””
- SupportedThe Tomb has been guarded continuously since 1948 by a soldier from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment.RTÉ News: “It has been guarded around the clock - rain or shine - by a soldier from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard, since 1948.”
- SupportedParnell said the secretary and department have always honoured and will always honour military sacrifices to keep America safe.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““The Secretary and the entire Department have always honoured – and will always honour – the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe.””
- SupportedTrump gave Hegseth a shout-out during his cemetery speech and said, “I had a feeling that was going to happen.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “On Wednesday (US time), Trump gave Hegseth a shout-out during his Veterans Day cemetery speech, which was met by cheers from the audience. “I had a feeling that was going to happen,” the president remarked.”
- SupportedRepublicans referred the impeachment resolution to a committee, effectively killing it.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Republicans successfully referred the impeachment resolution to a committee, effectively killing it off.”
- SupportedHegseth said the resolutions told service members their service was a crime and called the effort sabotage, not patriotism.RTÉ News: “"On the eve of Veterans Day, these resolutions tell every one of them that their service was a crime," Mr Hegseth said. "This is not patriotism. This is sabotage," he argued.”
- SupportedGwen Moore said the incident showed Hegseth's “utter lack of fitness for his office” and wrote that he showed contempt for service members by disrespecting the tomb's sanctity.RTÉ News: “Representative Gwen Moore, a Democrat from Wisconsin, said the incident showed that Mr Hegseth is demonstrating "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," she wrote in a social media post.”
- SupportedHegseth is likely to face another impeachment attempt when Democrats gain control of the House in January.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Hegseth will likely face another impeachment attempt when Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives early next year.”