Ryan Bort
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Pete Hegseth looks on during a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Veterans Day with Donald Trump at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Nov. 11, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Getty Images Pete Hegseth was in a celebratory mood after Republicans successfully blocked his impeachment in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night, gloating with Donald Trump about the failed effort to boot him from the Pentagon. The following day called for a more solemn demeanor, however, as Hegseth and Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate Veterans Day.
Hegseth’s party didn’t get the memo. On Wednesday afternoon, CNN released footage of an Army sentinel castigating Hegseth and his advisers when they started laughing after taking photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, one of the nation’s most sacred war memorials.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!” the sentinel yelled shortly after laughter emanated from Hegseth’s group, before the group continued up the steps in front of the memorial.
wow — CNN broadcast footage of an Arlington guard yelling at a group with Pete Hegseth to "MAINTAIN SILENCE … PAY RESPECT!" after someone in his entourage started laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pic.twitter.com/430uEKRRp5
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 11, 2026
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is a burial site for an American soldier who died during World War I. An Army sentinel from the Third Infantry has guarded the tomb 24 hours a day since 1948, with a guard-changing taking place every half hour.
Hegseth was standing in front of the tomb with his wife, Jennifer, his chief of staff, Ricky Buria, his deputy chief of staff, Patrick Weaver, and his senior adviser and deputy assistant, Tami Radabaugh, following a Veterans Day ceremony at the site, per CNN.
