US defence secretary Pete Hegseth was reprimanded by a soldier after one of his party laughed out loud at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
On Wednesday, Hegseth and his guests visited the tomb to mark Veteran’s Day in the US. Afterwards, the group posed for pictures and could be heard talking.
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In video footage obtained by CNN, a member of Hegseth’s party is heard laughing loudly. This prompts a US Army sentinel guarding the tomb to loudly shout at Hegseth and his group: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
You can watch the clip below.
The humiliating incident came the day after Hegseth survived an impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the final resting place of an unknown American soldier killed in the First World War. Since 1948, It has been guarded by a soldier 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Whilst Hegseth has not addressed the incident yet, a spokesperson for the Pentagon praised the soldier’s actions in reprimanding the defence secretary.
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a written statement: “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
On social media, Hegseth has been condemned for the incident, including a number of Democrat politicians.
Rep. Jim McGovern branded Hegseth a “disgrace” whilst other Democrat lawmakers labelled him unfit for office and “shameful.”
Others labelled it a “f***ing embarrassment” and ‘sickening.’