The Pentagon is not disputing the soldier who called out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s group at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Wednesday. In a statement, it said the sentinel was right to do it.
“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, according to CBS News. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
What happened
After the Veterans Day wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery, which President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance attended, Hegseth posed for photos on the steps in front of the tomb. With him were his wife, Jennifer; chief of staff Ricky Buria; deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver; and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh, according to the Associated Press and CNN.
As the group broke from the photos, a loud laugh could be heard on video recorded by the TV network pool. The Army sentinel walking his post stopped, faced the group and called out: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
CBS News reported that it is not clear who laughed, or whether Hegseth himself made any noise. NBC News reported that Hegseth did not acknowledge the reprimand, glancing over his shoulder and continuing up a set of stairs.
A guard that answers to no one’s rank
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors American service members from World War I and later conflicts whose remains were never identified. Soldiers from the Army regiment that guards it stand watch 24 hours a day, and the posting is one of the most prestigious in the Army.
Calling out noisy visitors is part of the job. A former member of the regiment, Staff Sgt. Chadwick Winget, said in a 2022 Army interview that sentinels react to the crowd two or three times a day, CBS reported. On Wednesday, the visitors happened to include the man at the top of the chain of command.
A rough week for Hegseth
The moment came one day after House Republicans voted 211-204 to send Rep. Thomas Massie’s impeachment articles against Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, effectively killing the effort for now. Earlier Wednesday at Arlington, Trump praised his defense secretary, saying, “He’s done a fantastic job.”
Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress in January.
Sources: Associated Press, CNN, CBS News, NBC News, The Washington Post.