Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, his wife Jennifer Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine salute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier behind a color guard in November 2026. Shortly after this photo was taken, Hegseth and others in his entourage loudly talked and laughed while leaving the memorial, causing the Sentinel on duty to yell at them. (US Army/Sgt. 1st Class Gabriel Bacewicz)
Pete Hegseth and Entourage Scolded at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
It is customary for visitors to Arlington National Cemetery to observe silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—but Hegseth’s group did not, leading to a loud reprimand.
One day after successfully evading impeachment charges in the US House of Representatives, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was thrust into the spotlight again on Wednesday after a United States Army “Sentinel” at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery scolded his group for inappropriate behavior during a Veterans Day visit.
Hegseth was accompanied by members of his senior staff, and after a Veterans Day ceremony at the tomb, they stopped to take photos.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, the group—which included Hegseth’s wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, as well as senior adviser and deputy assistant Tami Radabaugh—were recorded talking loudly and laughing as they walked away from the tomb, breaking the customary silence (or at least quiet) that visitors are encouraged to observe at the site.
That led to a loud and angry reprimand from the Sentinel on duty, who shouted, “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!”
The Sentinels standing watch at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are members of the United States Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.” The unit has continuously guarded the tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, since April 1948.
While on duty, a Sentinel marches a rigid, precise path consisting of 21 steps across a black mat, pauses for 21 seconds facing east, and takes 21 steps back—symbolizing a 21-gun salute. Sentinels maintain absolute silence and respect around the memorial and are authorized to directly reprimand visitors or officials who break the solemn atmosphere. Hearing one yell at visitors isn’t all that uncommon.
Still, it should be seen as highly unusual that one would be so forceful with the Secretary of Defense, suggesting that the group was actually being disrespectful.
Hegseth’s opponents criticized his behavior on social media, citing his apparent lack of respect for the honored dead as proof of his unsuitability to lead the armed forces.
“This is truly abhorrent,” former congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), an Air Force veteran and a regular foil of the Trump administration, wrote on X. “Pete Hegseth doesn’t know how to conduct himself, even at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. His behavior is unbecoming of any visitor to the Tomb, let alone that which comes from a Secretary of Defense.”
“Shameful,” Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) wrote. “Pete Hegseth continues to be a disgrace.”
The Pentagon was quick to respond.
“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,” chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said on Wednesday.
Arlington National Cemetery Is Hallowed Ground
Hegseth was present at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the wreath-laying ceremony earlier in the day, in which President Donald Trump was joined by Vice President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins. Following that ceremony, President Trump delivered an address at Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater, where he honored military veterans and spoke about the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Wednesday’s visit also took place amid ongoing public and legal opposition to the Trump administration’s proposal to erect a 250-foot triumphal arch on the Memorial Circle adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. Trump and his supporters have argued that the United States is one of the only Western countries without a triumphal arch, and proposed the recent 250th anniversary celebrations as a perfect occasion to build one. Critics have argued that the arch would block the direct connection between the cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial directly across the Potomac River, and characterized the proposal as an insult to the memory of those enshrined at Arlington.
These critics have included members of the Kennedy family, eight of whom filed a lawsuit against the administration seeking to block the arch’s construction. President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and longtime Massachusetts senator Ted Kennedy are all buried at Arlington.
All of Arlington National Cemetery, the largest and arguably the most famous military cemetery in the world, is considered hallowed ground, and visitors are asked to show respect for the more than 400,000 active-duty service members, veterans, and their family members who are buried there. The cemetery, which spans 639 acres, sits on land confiscated from Confederate General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War.
Visitors are asked to observe strict standards of decorum, decency, and respect as governed by federal regulations, especially around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and during funeral services. This includes no talking, laughing, or loud behavior.
It Takes Special Dedication to Guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Since its dedication in 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded by soldiers from “The Old Guard” based at Fort Myer, Virginia. It is considered a true honor to serve as a Sentinel, and fewer than 20 percent of all volunteers are accepted.
The Sentinels “walking the mat” do not wear an army rank, so as to never outrank the Unknowns.
All the men and women serving as Sentinels are “triple volunteers,” meaning they volunteered for the US Army, then for the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, and third for duty as a Tomb Guard.
Candidates must memorize seven pages of Arlington National Cemetery history verbatim and know the locations of hundreds of veteran graves. To earn the silver Tomb Guard Identification Badge, candidates must further pass rigorous uniform, manual-of-arms, and written exams, scoring over 95 percent on a 100-question test.
Sentinels stand watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in any weather.
Still, an all-too-common misconception is that the Sentinels have remained at their posts during hurricanes and blizzards. That is not true. The lives of the soldiers on guard are never put at risk, and the tomb guards are ready to be evacuated if the weather conditions place them at risk of injury or death.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. He has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites over a 30-year career in journalism, including Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author at Editor@nationalinterest.org.
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