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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was among a group of visitors who were publicly scolded for their disrespectful behavior during a Veterans Day event at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A viral video showed Pete, 46, his wife Jennifer and a group of aides seemingly chatting, laughing and posing for pictures at the Arlington National Cemetery monument on Wednesday, November 11, moments after an annual Veteran’s Day commemoration ceremony concluded. (As part of the memorial ceremony, President Donald Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb to honor fallen troops.)
A laugh could be heard from someone in Hegseth’s group seconds before a U.S. Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier loudly and sternly reminded them of proper conduct.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier shouted.
Hegseth looked back over his shoulder towards the Army guard who reprimanded them before continuing on with the rest of his group.
Proper protocol while visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is to remain completely silent in deference to those who have fallen in service of the country.
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell subsequently told Us that Hegseth and his staff “have always honored and will always honor” the sacrifices of service members.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell, 45, added.
Wednesday’s incident compounded more than a week of unflattering headlines for Hegseth. Retiring Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, introduced updated articles of impeachment against Hegseth in the House of Representatives on Monday, November 9, accusing the Sec. of Defense of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” for not seeking Congress’ approval to launch military action in Iran this past February.
Pete Hegseth and Melania Trump attend a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Hegseth defended his conduct at a Tuesday, November 10, press conference, insisting that “no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations.”
“This is not patriotism,” Hegseth alleged. “This is sabotage.”
House Republicans used the waning days of their majority to officially table Massie’s resolution, thereby sending it to committee rather than compelling a floor vote. Articles of impeachment against Hegseth could be revisited by Democrats in the House when they begin a new session of Congress with a significant majority on January 3, 2027.
Prior to the impeachment controversy, Washington D.C. insiders pointed to a potential rift between Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, after Vance, 42, seemingly placed the blame for Democrats’ landslide midterm victory on a growing dissatisfaction among the U.S. populace with the War in Iran.
“If you’d like to argue [the war] was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so,” Vance wrote via X on November 4. “Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there.”
Hegseth held his first Pentagon briefing in nearly 190 days on Tuesday, in which he insisted that he “respect[s] the vice president greatly.”
“I’m certainly not going to exchange in any finger-pointing, and thankfully, politics is not really my thing,” the former Fox News weekend political host insisted. “I do the Department of War and making sure we’re prepared and ready.”
Hegseth went on to say, “A lot of people are going to look at the conflict and assess it, and the vice president has been a critical member of the team in every aspect of this, and we’re grateful for all the input he’s given me personally and our department.”
