Pete Hegseth received a stern dressing-down from a soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after his entourage’s laughter and conversation disrupted the solemn atmosphere at Arlington National Cemetery.
The defense secretary, accompanied by his wife, Jennifer, and several top Pentagon officials, was leaving the memorial on Wednesday following a Veterans Day ceremony when the guard abruptly called out.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier shouted.
Footage shows Hegseth turning his head toward the sentinel as he continued up the steps. It remains unclear who in the group was laughing.
The ceremony had brought together President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and military officials to honor America’s fallen service members.
wow — CNN broadcast footage of an Arlington guard yelling at a group with Pete Hegseth to "MAINTAIN SILENCE … PAY RESPECT!" after someone in his entourage started laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier https://t.co/430uEKRRp5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 11, 2026
The Pentagon later backed the soldier’s response.
“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,” spokesman Sean Parnell said.
But former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger slammed Hegseth over the incident.
“Pete Hegseth doesn’t know how to conduct himself, even at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery,” he wrote on X before praising the guard for enforcing the rules.
The reprimand adds to Hegseth’s political troubles after House Republicans narrowly defeated an effort to impeach him Tuesday. He could still face impeachment when the Dems take over the House and the Senate in January.