US Pete Hegseth rewarded the sentinel who ordered him to be quiet at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with a medal on Thursday as De Telegraaf reported.
The incident occurred on Veterans Day at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia after a ceremony attended by President Donald Trump.
Hegseth posted on X that he was honoring Specialist Thomas Iglesias for performing his duties at the monument, according to NOS News. Video footage circulating online showed the guard shouting at Hegseth, his wife, and Pentagon officials to maintain absolute silence after some light laughter was heard following a photo opportunity.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been continuously guarded by the 3rd US Infantry Regiment since 1937, with sentinels enforcing strict protocols requiring absolute silence from spectators, NRC noted. Hegseth bestowed the Joint Service Commendation Medal upon Iglesias the day after the confrontation, praising military standards.
We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on Patriots. pic.twitter.com/Uk6ek6oOso
„We love soldiers, we love standards. Good job, specialist,” Hegseth wrote on X, as cited by The Telegraaf. A Pentagon spokesperson defended the soldier’s actions by stating that Iglesias properly and respectfully reminded everyone present of the required decorum, as reported by NOS News.
The medal presentation unfolded during a difficult political week for the defense secretary, who narrowly escaped an impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives. Lawmakers voted 211 to 204 against the resolution after eleven Democrats missed the vote, according to NOS News. Hegseth dismissed the impeachment effort as a political farce and a stunt, Actueel365 reported.
The public photo moment also drew comparisons to past controversies involving the current administration at the military cemetery. During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Trump faced heavy criticism from veterans and grieving families after being photographed giving a thumbs-up beside a gravesite, NRC reported. During the Veterans Day ceremony, however, Trump praised the defense secretary directly, stating, „He’s doing a fantastic job,” according to NRC.
wow — CNN broadcast footage of an Arlington guard yelling at a group with Pete Hegseth to "MAINTAIN SILENCE … PAY RESPECT!" after someone in his entourage started laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier pic.twitter.com/430uEKRRp5
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