Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and group reprimanded for noise at Tomb of Unknown Soldier

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his group were reprimanded by a U.S. Army sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day, according to CBS News and NBC News. The guard asked the group to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect after someone in the group was heard laughing following a photo session.

The group included Hegseth, his wife, and several aides. CBS News specifically mentions chief of staff Ricky Buria as part of the group. They had visited the tomb for a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a Veterans Day event at the nearby Memorial Auditorium, with President Trump and first lady Melania Trump also attending, CBS News reported.

NBC News noted that the group was talking and laughing in front of the tomb, which memorializes unidentified American service members killed in battle. The sentinel reminded them that all visitors must maintain decorum and silence at all times.

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell told CBS News that the Department of Defense honors the sacrifices of military members and that the soldier's reminder was correct and respectful to maintain solemnity during the commemorations.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24 hours a day by sentinels, a prestigious Army posting known for its guard-changing ceremony. It is common for sentinels to reprimand visitors who disrupt the solemn atmosphere, as noted by CBS News.