Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has honored a U.S. Army sentinel who scolded his group at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day.
“We love soldiers. We love standards,” Hegseth, 46, wrote via a Department of War Facebook post on Thursday, November 12, adding, “Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots.”
The Pentagon shared photos of Hegseth pinning a Joint Service Commendation Medal to the chest of Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias in recognition of “the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.”
Hegseth invited Iglesias and fellow members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment to the Pentagon on Thursday to celebrate their service. Known as the “Old Guard,” 3rd Infantry sentinels take turns alternating guard shifts at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to ensure that a constant vigil occurs for those who died in the line of duty. (It is customary for guests to remain silent while visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.)
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On Wednesday, November 11, Hegseth was filmed attending a Veterans Day vigil at Arlington National Cemetery along with his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, his chief of staff, Ricky Buria, senior adviser Tami Radabaugh and his deputy chief of staff, Ricky Buria. A viral video showed members of Hegseth’s party chatting, laughing and posing for pictures in front of the Tomb before a then-unknown sentinel guard admonished their conduct.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier demanded.
Hegseth briefly looked back over his shoulder at the guard before continuing on as his party left the solemn monument.
As the video went viral, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell told Us that Hegseth has “always honored and will always honor” the sacrifices of service members.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell, 45, added in a statement.
Hegseth has faced more than a week of unflattering headlines in the wake of the Democratic Party’s sweeping midterm wins over President Donald Trump‘s GOP.
Beltway insiders speculated that there may be a divide between Hegseth and J.D. Vance due to the vice president publicly blaming the Republicans’ midterms loss on the unpopular War in Iran.
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“If you’d like to argue [the war] was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so,” Vance, 42, tweeted November 4. “Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that’s at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there.”
Hegseth vowed at a Tuesday, November 10, press conference that he would not “exchange in any finger-pointing” over the GOP’s historic losses at the ballot box.
“A lot of people are going to look at the conflict and assess it, and the vice president has been a critical member of the team in every aspect of this, and we’re grateful for all the input he’s given me personally and our department,” Hegseth noted.
Hegseth also narrowly dodged facing articles of impeachment when they were introduced in the House of Representatives by retiring Rep. Thomas Massie, of Kentucky, on Monday, November 9. Massie, 55, accused Hegseth of committing “high crimes and misdemeanors” by not seeking Congress’ approval to launch military action in Iran in February.
The GOP took advantage of the final days of its congressional majority to table the articles of impeachment, sending the resolution to committee rather than allowing a floor vote. Democrats may seek to revisit a potential impeachment effort against Hegseth when they take the majority on January 3, 2027.
During Tuesday’s media scrum, Hegseth claimed that “no Secretary of War or Secretary of Defense has ever been impeached for carrying out lawful military operations.”
“This is not patriotism,” Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon. “This is sabotage.”
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