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.
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.
“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 in a statement provided to Rolling Stone. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
Hegseth narrowly survived impeachment in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night when Republicans passed a bill to send the resolution to committee, effectively killing it. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) filed articles of impeachment against Hegseth on Monday, accusing the Pentagon chief of offenses including violations of the War Powers Agreement of 1973, failing to minimize civilian casualties, and conducting extrajudicial killings.
