Source : Reuters
ARLINGTON, Va., November 11, 2026 – A US Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier rebuked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s group on Wednesday after laughter could be heard as they posed for photographs at the site following a Veterans Day ceremony, according to video of the incident reported by Reuters and other outlets.
As the group broke up and walked away from the tomb at Arlington National Cemetery, the sentinel turned and shouted: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.” NBC News reported that Hegseth made no acknowledgement of the rebuke, looking over his shoulder and continuing to walk up a set of stairs.
Reuters shared a video in which a soldier called for visitors to maintain “silence and respect”. The Washington Post said the video was first reported by CNN. ABC News said the incident was captured by the television pool feed at the tomb and occurred at about 12:30 p.m., after Trump laid a wreath there earlier in the day.
According to USA Today, the group included Hegseth’s wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh. USA Today said it was not clear which members of the group were laughing.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell responded 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 said. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
Soldiers stand watch over the tomb 24 hours a day, and ABC News noted that visitors are expected to keep reverent silence in the area. The sentinel’s command is the same one issued to any visitor who breaks decorum, ABC News said. The tomb holds unidentified American service members killed in battle.
The episode came a day after Hegseth survived an attempt to impeach him. On Tuesday the House voted 211 to 204 to refer eight articles of impeachment, introduced by Republican Representative Thomas Massie, to the Judiciary Committee, which effectively shelves them. Massie was the only Republican to vote against the motion. Eleven Democrats and seven Republicans did not vote, and ABC News reported that the motion could have been defeated 215 to 211 had all 11 Democrats cast votes.
The absences caused anger inside the Democratic caucus. Reuters reported, citing one person in the room and another briefed on the episode, that House Democratic whip Katherine Clark told colleagues that Democrats who missed the vote had disappointed the American people. Several of the absent Democrats blamed a traffic incident and a police-escorted bus near the Capitol, while others cited a medical procedure, a personal emergency or a veterans’ event in California.
Hegseth has defended his record and has described the impeachment effort as a political spectacle.
Source: Reuters, NBC News, ABC News, USA Today, The Washington Post and Al Jazeera
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