Sentinel Scolds Hegseth And Aides To Show Respect At Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reprimanded by an Army sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after a group that accompanied him appeared to laugh and chat near the memorial for fallen service members.

The incident occurred as Hegseth, his wife and some advisers posed for a photo in front of the tomb at Arlington National Cemetery, where President Donald Trump had participated in the annual wreath-laying tradition earlier on Veterans Day.

“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the sentinel called out as Hegseth and his entourage walked up the steps leading away from the memorial. In videos circulating on social media, Hegseth appeared to look back at the sentinel before continuing to walk away.

“The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored — and will always honor — the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”

The tomb serves as the resting place for three unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War, and it is guarded 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Sentinels who guard the tomb are part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the oldest active-duty infantry unit in the U.S. Army, traditionally known as “The Old Guard.”

The sentinel’s rebuke of Hegseth’s entourage and Trump’s wreath-laying ceremony came as various groups are challenging the administration’s move to erect a 250-foot triumphal arch near the entrance of the Arlington National Cemetery, where more than 400,000 veterans are buried.

Several Vietnam Warveterans argue that the arch would dishonor their military service and the legacy of those buried at the cemetery, while President John F. Kennedy’s family — which filed a lawsuit Tuesday — said the structure would cast a shadow over the Kennedy family’s memorial. The governments of Virginia and Washington, have also sued, saying arch construction would impose years of disruption and costs.

Hegseth, a U.S. Army veteran, has defended the arch construction in court filings as a “a generational national defense opportunity” which would be used to counter drones and other aerial systems.

Benjamin Johansen contributed to this report.