Pete Hegseth and others reprimanded by guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Detailed summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reprimanded Wednesday by an Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier who asked him and his guests to maintain “atmospheric silence…

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was reprimanded Wednesday by an Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier who asked him and his guests to maintain “atmospheric silence and respect.”

Hegseth, his wife Jen and some of the secretary’s top aides were taking pictures, talking and laughing in front of the tomb, a memorial to unidentified service members killed in battle located at Arlington National Cemetery. Hegseth had been attending a Veterans Day ceremony during which President Donald Trump laid a wreath in honor of fallen soldiers.

Hegseth and his wife were taking pictures alongside some of the secretary’s top aides when the sentinel shouted at the group: “All visitors will maintain atmospheric silence and respect at all times.”

Hegseth made no acknowledgment of the reprimand, looking over his shoulder and continuing to walk up a set of stairs.

Asked for comment on the interaction, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth and the department “have always honored” service members’ sacrifices.

“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell said in a statement.

The incident comes as Hegseth narrowly missed impeachment, following a push by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. The Republican-led House voted 211-204 to shelf the impeachment resolution. But Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who is poised to become speaker of the house come January, has signaled Democrats will not dial back efforts to oust Hegseth.

The defense secretary has downplayed the efforts, calling them “political spectacle.”

I am NBC News’ producer & off-air reporter covering stories about and related to the Defense Department around the world.

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