Politics1 min read

Hegseth and advisers reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The incident occurred after a wreath-laying ceremony honoring Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth gathered with his staff and family for a photograph, someone in the group laughed. A US Army sentinel immediately shouted a command reminding all visitors to remain quiet and respectful. Hegseth was accompanied by several key aides and family members, including his wife Jennifer Hegseth and chief of staff Ricky Buria.

Key points

  • Visitors at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are strictly held to absolute standards of qu…: Visitors at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are strictly held to absolute standards of quiet and solemnity.
  • Senior defence leadership and their personal guests are subject to the same strict Arling…: Senior defence leadership and their personal guests are subject to the same strict Arlington protocols as the general public.
  • The defence secretary's party included top staff members, advisers, and his wife during t…: The defence secretary's party included top staff members, advisers, and his wife during the cemetery event.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and a group he was with were reprimanded by a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. The incident followed a wreath-laying ceremony marking Veterans Day.

Hegseth had joined the group for a photo and someone laughed, prompting the US Army sentinel guarding the tomb to shout. "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times", the sentinel said.

According to the BBC's US partner, CBS News, the people in the photo before the reprimand also included Hegseth's advisers Patrick Weaver and Tami Radabaugh, Hegseth's chief of staff Ricky Buria and Hegseth's wife Jennifer Hegseth.

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