Arlington Sentinel Rebukes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Entourage
A U.S. Army sentinel rebuked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his entourage for laughing at Arlington National Cemetery, as the Pentagon chief faces political battles.
A protocol incident occurred on Wednesday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, when a U.S. Army sentinel sharply rebuked a group including U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and his senior advisors. According to footage broadcast by American media, members of the group were laughing and talking while posing for photographs in front of the tomb following Veterans Day ceremonies.
In the video aired by CNN, Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, and defense officials are seen posing before the monument. At one point, laughter broke out within the group, prompting the sentinel to halt his march, turn toward them, and shout: "All visitors shall maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." The group turned away and continued up the stairs.
Veterans Day, observed annually in the United States on November 11, originated to mark the armistice that ended World War I and since 1954 has honored all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier holds an unidentified American service member from World War I, later joined by unknowns from World War II and the Korean War. The monument bears the inscription: "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God."
The Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment. The incident occurred less than a day after a resolution to impeach Hegseth was blocked in the House of Representatives, where the Republican majority voted 211 to 204 to refer the measure to the House Judiciary Committee, effectively burying the initiative introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie regarding military actions involving Iran and counter-narcotics operations.
President Donald Trump quickly hailed what he termed the vindication of a great American patriot. However, the House of Representatives will transition to Democratic control on January 3, with Democrats expected to revive the effort. During a speech at the ceremony, Trump acknowledged Hegseth's presence, prompting enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience.
