Key facts
- The sentinel shouted: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
- Hegseth was walking with his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and adviser Tami Radabaugh.
- Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.
- Former congressman Adam Kinzinger called the incident "truly abhorrent" and said Hegseth is "completely unqualified for the job."
- House Republicans blocked an impeachment effort against Hegseth in a 211-204 vote the day before the ceremony.
A US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery loudly reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his top staffers on November 11, 2026, after some in the group were heard laughing and talking near the memorial following a Veterans Day ceremony.
Video captured by the TV network pool showed Hegseth walking up the steps in front of the memorial with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh after posing for pictures. A laugh is audible, prompting the guard to yell: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." Hegseth looked over his shoulder toward the soldier as he continued up the steps.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: "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." He added that a soldier "correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."
Hegseth and his team were at the cemetery for a Veterans Day ceremony also attended by Donald Trump and vice-president JD Vance, who laid wreaths at the memorial and delivered remarks.
The tomb marks the final resting place of an unknown soldier killed in the first world war. A sentinel from the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, known as the Old Guard, has guarded it around the clock since 1948. Staff Sgt Chadwick Winget, the relief commander, said in an article on the US Army's website that sentinels address noisy crowds roughly two or three times per day.
Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger called the incident "truly abhorrent" and condemned Hegseth as "completely unqualified for the job" in a post on X. In comments to CNN, Kinzinger commended the sentinel for doing his job.
The incident came a day after House Republicans blocked an effort to impeach Hegseth, voting 211-204 to reject allegations that he repeatedly violated the constitution through his handling of the Iran war and other conflicts. The vote came a week after Republicans lost control of the Senate and House in midterm elections. Representative Thomas Massie had proposed impeaching Hegseth in September.