Pete Hegseth honors soldier who scolded him at Arlington cemetery

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently honored a soldier who publicly reprimanded him and his entourage for laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Hegseth presented Specialist Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal, a top military award typically not given to junior enlisted personnel.

In a video that circulated widely online, Iglesias can be seen forcefully correcting Hegseth and his party, who were laughing while taking photos in front of the tomb. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell commended Iglesias for his respectful and proper reminder to maintain decorum. This incident occurred as the defense secretary faced an impeachment attempt related to his management of the war with Iran, which coincided with Republican Party losses in the midterm elections.

Hegseth defended himself, calling the impeachment attempt a "farce, a stunt, and sabotage." The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is a highly solemn military monument, housing the remains of US soldiers who died in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, along with an empty site for missing soldiers from the Vietnam War.

The site is guarded 24/7 by soldiers from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard."