Soldier rebukes Hegseth staff for laughing at Arlington tomb

A US soldier standing guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery stopped his patrol Wednesday and called out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's entourage in a loud voice after members of the group were heard laughing and talking at the site.

The incident took place on November 11 during a Veterans Day ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. After the ceremony, Hegseth walked with his wife Jennifer and senior staff to the tomb area, where they posed for a group photograph.

As the group began to leave, laughter and conversation broke out among those present. One of the guards on duty noticed, stopped his patrol, turned toward the group and announced in a loud voice: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."

Video of the incident spread quickly on social media and drew widespread reaction. It is not clear which members of the entourage were laughing, and there is no evidence that Hegseth himself was among them.

The Moderate Case added that the disrespectful behavior was 'not a good look' for Hegseth's team.

Guard rebukes visitors at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Photo: Social media)

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell addressed the incident, saying the Defense Secretary and the entire department always honor the sacrifice of the men and women of the US military. The soldier, he said, acted appropriately in reminding those present to observe the rules of conduct at the site.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most important and sacred memorial sites in the United States. Buried there are unidentified American soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War.

The tomb is guarded around the clock by soldiers of the US Army's oldest active-duty infantry unit, known as the Old Guard, part of the 3rd Infantry Regiment. The soldiers serving in the guard maintain strict ceremonial discipline, and the rules of conduct at the site require visitors to maintain silence and respect.

Soldiers who have served at the site have said in the past that they are required to correct visitors who disturb the solemn atmosphere, sometimes several times a day.