On November 11, 2026, a U.S. Army sentinel at Arlington National Cemetery loudly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, and senior aides after members of their group laughed following photos at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The guard called for 'silence and respect at all times.' Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated the soldier correctly reminded everyone to maintain decorum. The incident occurred a day after House Republicans blocked an impeachment attempt against Hegseth.
Sentinel reprimand of Hegseth's group
- ▪Pete Hegseth made no verbal acknowledgment of a sentinel's reprimand at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026, looking over his shoulder as he continued walking up the stairs at Arlington National Cemetery
- ▪A U.S. Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimanded U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his delegation on November 11, 2026, after members of the group were heard laughing and talking at the memorial
Hegseth's delegation at the Tomb
- ▪Pete Hegseth and his entourage posed for photographs on the steps of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier after attending a wreath-laying ceremony and a service at the nearby Memorial Auditorium
- ▪Pete Hegseth's delegation at Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 2026, included his wife Jennifer Hegseth, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh
Pentagon response to the incident
- ▪Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum during the Veterans Day commemoration at Arlington National Cemetery
- ▪Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense have always honored the sacrifices of U.S. military service members
Tomb sentinel duties and decorum
- ▪Army Staff Sgt. Chadwick Winget stated in a 2022 Army interview that sentinels at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier reprimand audience members for breaking decorum two or three times per day
- ▪Sentinels assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as 'The Old Guard,' have maintained a 24-hour watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1948
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