First the general embarrassment, then the controversies that spread on social media. United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ended up at the center of a new storm due to the shame he and his staff made in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. The group was called to “silence” by the sentry guarding the monument due to the disrespectful shouting of members of the Trump administration.
What happened
The episode occurred on November 11, at the end of the Veterans Day ceremonies. The exact moment was captured by CNN cameras. In the images, Hegseth is seen with his wife Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior advisor Tami Radabaugh. The group poses for some ritual photographs in front of the monument and then begins to climb the stairs.
At this juncture the microphones intercept some members of the group shouting and laughing. The sentry guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier immediately intervenes and shouts in an authoritative tone: “All visitors are required to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
The defense secretary did not react to the rebuke, but continued his visit to the grave. The ceremony concluded shortly thereafter.