Pete Hegseth reprimanded for laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier days after impeachment proceedings

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was reprimanded on Thursday by the US Army soldier on guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery after he giggled with visitors to the tomb.

The incident occurred after Hegseth and his entourage were seen laughing while visiting the memorial.

“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the soldier shouted at the group.

A few moments earlier, Hegseth, his wife Jennifer, and several senior aides had taken photos, chatted, and laughed in front of the tomb, a monument honoring unidentified fallen service members at Arlington National Cemetery.

Hegseth was attending a Veterans Day ceremony during which President Donald Trump laid a wreath in honor of fallen service members.

Asked to comment on the interaction, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said that Hegseth and the department “have always honored the sacrifices of service members.”

“During the observance of this celebratory day, a soldier properly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell added.

The incident brought Hegseth back into the headlines just one day after he narrowly avoided impeachment.

Congressman Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and outspoken critic of the fighting in Iran who was ousted following Trump's efforts, introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth this week.

The Republican-led House of Representatives voted 211–204 to table the resolution.

However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is set to become House Speaker in January, signaled that Democrats would not abandon their efforts to impeach Hegseth.