Hegseth and aides scolded by guard for laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A soldier at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimanded Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his staff for violating the rules of conduct during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The incident occurred as the group of advisers, including Hegseth, Jennifer his wife, Ricky Buria, the chief of staff, Patrick Weaver, the deputy chief of staff, and Tami Radabaugh, the senior adviser, were taking photographs in front of the tomb.

A guard can be heard loudly stating that all visitors must maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasized that the soldier's action was appropriate and respectful in honoring the solemnity of the day. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located within Arlington National Cemetery, is a revered site housing the remains of unidentified soldiers who died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

It has been meticulously guarded by the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard, since 1948, with the duty being continuous, regardless of weather conditions. Hegseth and his team were there as part of a broader ceremony commemorating Veterans Day, which was also attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

This event happened just a day after Hegseth narrowly escaped an impeachment attempt led by Republican Representative Thomas Massie and supported by Democrats in Congress. Although the impeachment attempt was unsuccessful, it may be revived with Democrats set to gain control of both houses of Congress in January. Hegseth criticized the impeachment effort in a news conference, accusing Massie of being a "rogue legislator" and claiming he had not committed any of the high crimes necessary for removal according to the Constitution.

He further argued that the criticism of him and the US military was an indictment of the nation's service members and their achievements. In response to the incident, Democratic Representative Gwen Moore from Wisconsin accused Hegseth of demonstrating "his utter lack of fitness for his office" by disrespecting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, suggesting that his conduct was a form of sabotage against the nation's servicemen and women.