Donald and Melania Trump attend solemn Veterans Day ceremony with newly-vindicated Pete Hegseth

Detailed summary

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday to mark Veterans Day, alongside embattled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Published: 16:57 GMT, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 17:05 GMT, 11 November 2026

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump traveled to Arlington National Cemetery Wednesday to mark Veterans Day, alongside embattled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

On Tuesday night, Hegseth was spared an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives, with Republicans rallying around him, despite the effort being spearheaded by outgoing GOP Representative Thomas Massie.

A GOP-led motion to table the vote succeeded, 211-204, with a number of Democrats missing the vote.

Hegseth sat next to the First Lady during the ceremony and received a loud cheer from the audience when the President name-dropped him during his speech.

'I had a feeling that was going to happen,' Trump chuckled. 'He's done a fantastic job, and he loves you, and he protects you.'

The President's appearance at Arlington National Cemetery also comes amid a tussle he's having with veterans' groups over the construction of his triumphal arch.

President Donald Trump (left) and Vice President JD Vance (right) salute during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth appeared at the Veterans Day ceremony just hours after he was spared an impeachment vote in the House of Representatives

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