Soldier shouts at US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to show ‘respect’ at Tomb of the Unknowns

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was scolded at the Tomb of the Unknowns by an Army sentinel after laughter broke out among a group that accompanied him.

Hegseth, his wife and some advisers had been posing for pictures and chatting in front of the tomb, also called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a solemn memorial at Arlington National Cemetery for military members who were killed in battle and remain unidentified.

Video recorded by reporters showed the sentinel guarding the tomb turning to face Hegseth’s group shortly after audible laughter from a woman among them.

“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the sentinel shouted toward Hegseth and others as they were leaving.

The rules for ceremonies at the cemetery prohibit visitors from yelling or making any other “boisterous” or “unreasonably loud” noise.

The defense secretary had been attending the annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery alongside President Donald Trump.

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, said in a statement that the sentinel’s reaction was appropriate.

“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,” Parnell said. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”

Guarding the tomb is a coveted position for an elite military unit, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, that stands watch there 24 hours a day. The tradition of standing continuously over the tomb dates back nearly nine decades.

The regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” directed questions to Parnell.

With Hegseth on Wednesday were his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, and three advisers, Ricky Buria, Tami Radabaugh and Patrick Weaver.

It is not the first controversy related to decorum involving the president and his staff at the cemetery.

In 2024, a confrontation occurred between Trump’s campaign team and a cemetery official for taking photos and videos in a section of the burial reserved for U.S. troops killed in recent wars. A statement from the cemetery at the time said that federal law prohibits political campaigning and related activities within Army cemeteries.

Trump had attended a wreath-laying ceremony for 13 U.S. troops killed in a suicide bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Footage of Trump at the ceremony later appeared in a TikTok video released by his campaign.

And in 2017 during his first term, Trump visited the military grave of the son of John F. Kelly, a retired Marine general, and said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”

Hegseth is a combat veteran who served in the Army National Guard. The defense secretary faced an impeachment bid in Congress on Tuesday that was ultimately shelved by House Republicans. Pressure has mounted on Hegseth since last week’s midterm electoral outcome, which was driven in part by deep frustrations with the Iran war.

But Hegseth has continued to enjoy the support of Trump.

Shortly after the ceremony Wednesday, Hegseth posted on social media a picture at the site of the ceremony with his wife.

“Happy Veterans Day — to our best Americans,” he wrote, adding, “Thank God for our warriors, past and present.”