In a highly publicized incident during the Veterans Day observance event at Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his team were reprimanded by an Army guard for allegedly violating the solemn rules of decorum at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A video captured Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing, talking, and posing for photos in front of the tomb, which houses the remains of a soldier killed in World War I. The Army sentinel on duty approached Hegseth's group and sternly instructed them to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.
The rules of etiquette at Arlington National Cemetery dictate that visitors must speak quietly and refrain from disrespectful or disorderly conduct, as the tomb is one of the country's most sacred war memorials. A service member from the 3rd Infantry Regiment stands watch over the Tomb 24 hours a day, a tradition that has continued since 1948. In response to the incident, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell stated: "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum."
During the ceremony, President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and other top officials attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony. In his speech, Trump expressed gratitude to uniformed service members for their sacrifices in defending the country, while also highlighting what he sees as his administration's success in the Iran war. Trump defended Hegseth amid Democratic lawmakers' push for impeachment, and an effort to do so under accusations of waging war on Iran without congressional authorization failed on Capitol Hill earlier this week.
During the Veterans Day observance event, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his entourage were admonished by an Army guard at Arlington National Cemetery for reportedly violating the solemn rules of decorum at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A video from the ceremony shows Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing, talking, and taking photos in front of the tomb, which honors a soldier killed in World War I.
The Army sentinel on duty approached Hegseth's group and instructed them to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times. The rules of etiquette at Arlington National Cemetery require visitors to speak quietly and refrain from disrespectful or disorderly conduct, as the tomb is one of the country's most sacred war memorials. A service member from the 3rd Infantry Regiment stands watch over the Tomb 24 hours a day, a tradition that began in 1948.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell commented on the incident, stating: "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum." During the ceremony, President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and other top officials attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony. Trump thanked uniformed service members for their sacrifices in defending the country and highlighted what he sees as his administration's success in the Iran war.
In an unexpected turn of events during the Veterans Day observance event, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his team were reprimanded by an Army guard at Arlington National Cemetery for allegedly violating the solemn rules of decorum at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A video from the ceremony captured Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing, talking, and taking photos in front of the tomb, which houses a soldier killed in World War I.
The Army sentinel on duty approached Hegseth's group and sternly reminded them to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times. Rules of etiquette at Arlington National Cemetery dictate that visitors must speak quietly and refrain from disrespectful or disorderly conduct, as the tomb is one of the country's most sacred war memorials. A service member from the 3rd Infantry Regiment stands watch over the Tomb 24 hours a day, a tradition that has continued since 1948.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell commented on the incident, stating: "While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum." During the ceremony, President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and other top officials attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony. Trump acknowledged the sacrifices of uniformed service members in defending the country and touted what he sees as his administration's success in the Iran war.