Army guard forced to yell at Pete Hegseth's group for laughing in front of a soldier's tomb

A US soldier yelled at Pete Hegseth and his entourage after they laughed outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier day after surviving an impeachment vote.

11 November marks Veterans Day (or Armistice Day) – a day to honour the sacrifice made by those who have served, fought and died in wars.

Following a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth and a group he was with paused to take photographs as they stood nearby the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is the burial site of an unidentified American World War I soldier and has been guarded 24 hours a day, year-round, since July 1937.

So when laughter erupted at what is meant to be a solemn site of remembrance, the sentinel guarding the tomb let Hegseth and his group know about it.

He turned to face the group and shouted: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”

Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement: “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”

The moment sparked widespread outrage.

“This is absolutely disgusting, disgraceful and disrespectful!” someone said.

One person suggested: “A single clip that captures the way this entire rotted regime sees our troops. F**king disgraceful.”

“For the Secretary of Defence to be called out at the Tomb for the Unknown Soldier for impropriety is jaw dropping,” suggested another.

Another wrote: “I remember going to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the summer trip before 9th grade. We were told repeatedly on how big of a deal this was and to be quiet at all times. It's weird to see Hegseth turn it into a photo op and not pay the respect that kids know how to give.”

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