Photo: Arlington National Cemetery / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Pentagon Supports Guard After Incident at Arlington Cemetery
The Pentagon has voiced support for a U.S. Army guard who reprimanded a group that included Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at Arlington National Cemetery. Video footage from a Veterans Day observance event showed Hegseth, his wife, and senior advisers laughing and talking while posing for photographs in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
During the incident, the Army sentinel on duty stepped toward the group and shouted, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."
Pentagon Response and Commendation
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell issued a statement defending the soldier's actions, stating that the guard correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum during the solemn occasion. Parnell added that the department consistently honors the sacrifices made by military members.
On Thursday, Hegseth welcomed Specialist Thomas Iglesias of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, also known as the Old Guard, to the Pentagon. Hegseth awarded Specialist Iglesias the Joint Service Commendation Medal for carrying out his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026. In a public statement on X, Hegseth expressed support for the soldier, writing, "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist."
Protocol at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Etiquette guidelines at Arlington National Cemetery mandate that visitors speak quietly and avoid disorderly conduct. The tomb holds an unidentified service member killed in World War I, and members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment have maintained a continuous 24-hour guard over the site since 1948. Sentinels reportedly admonish visitors who breach protocol a few times each day.
Veterans Day Observance and Political Context
The incident followed an annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony attended by President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, First Lady Melania Trump, and other officials. In his speech, President Trump thanked military service members and commented on military actions regarding Iran, stating that his administration achieved victory.
During the ceremony, President Trump commended Hegseth's work as defence secretary. The event occurred shortly after an effort by Democratic lawmakers to impeach Hegseth over claims of launching military action against Iran without congressional approval failed on Capitol Hill. Hegseth has characterized those impeachment efforts as a farce.
Source: Pentagon backs war memorial guard who reprimanded Hegseth's group