Stunning moment Pete Hegseth and his staff screamed at by guard for laughing during solemn Veterans Day memorial: 'Pay respect!'

Detailed summary

Pete Hegseth and his top advisers were reprimanded for laughing at one of America's most sacred military monuments while at a Veterans Day memorial.

Published: 21:05 GMT, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 21:29 GMT, 11 November 2026

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and his top advisers were reprimanded for laughing at one of America's most sacred military monuments while at a Veterans Day ceremony.

The secretary, his wife Jennifer Hegseth, chief of staff Ricky Buria, and other top Pentagon officials were standing together, taking pictures at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery after the ceremony on Wednesday.

Following the impromptu photoshoot, the group of Pentagon staffers began walking away from the memorial when laughter rang out from the cadre.

'All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!' a US Army sentinel guarding the tomb yelled at the group after hearing their giggling.

The sentinel, dressed in a ceremonial 'Old Guard' uniform and wielding an M14 rifle, was on patrol, pacing in front of the tomb, as is typical for members of the unit, before he turned to address them.

After the sentinel yelled his warning, he turned and immediately continued pacing his normal route next to the tomb.

'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,' Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

'While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.'

Opening of the article, excerpted from Daily Mail. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.