Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth triggered outrage on Wednesday when his party had to be loudly admonished by a U.S. Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Hegseth and his guests were posing for photos by the tomb after a solemn ceremony marking Veterans Day. Afterward, Hegseth’s group was heard talking and laughing, as captured in video obtained by CNN.
That’s when the sentinel stopped his march and called out: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after Hegseth survived an impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives.
He hasn’t addressed the incident at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. However, a spokesperson praised the U.S. Army sentinel.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a written statement.
Critics on social media said the defense secretary and his party shouldn’t need any reminders when it comes to decorum at one of the U.S. military’s most sacred sites: