PoliticsPentagon backs war memorial guard who reprimanded Hegseth's group
The Pentagon has backed a war memorial guard who told Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his companions to maintain “silence and respect” during a Veterans Day visit.

United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense (2025–)
| Born | 1980-06-06 · Minneapolis |
|---|---|
| Party | Republican |
| Offices |
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| Education | Princeton University (BA) Harvard University (MPP) |
| Military service | United States Army, Army National Guard · 2003–20062010–20142019–2021 · Major · 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, Minnesota Army National Guard, District of Columbia Army National Guard · Iraq War, War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge |
Portrait: U.S. Department of Defense · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
What this person said on the record, as reported, newest first.

Bloomberg Television’s Balance of Power discusses the latest developments on Capitol Hill, including Hegseth’s view that Massie’s bid hurts troops and leadership questions facing both parties after the midterms.
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Bloomberg Television

After a Republican congressman launched an effort to impeach him, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended his record. BBC correspondent Gary O’Donoghue breaks down his response.
BBBC News

Hegseth said the effort to impeach him over the Iran war was “not patriotism” but “sabotage.”
TTRT World

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces possible impeachment by Congress, urged troops in a social media video to “ignore the noise.” He said the Trump administration was more determined than ever to finish what it had started.
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CNN

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged an impeachment threat in a social media video released Thursday. He said it would amount to “the politics of personal destruction” and insisted it would not work against him.
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The Associated Press

VOA’s daily news roundup says War Secretary Hegseth proposed a US-ASEAN defense cooperation framework. It also reports that the Russia-Ukraine ceasefire had held for 30 hours without violations, Israel’s election count remained close, and the US Air Force’s ARRW hypersonic missile entered mass production.
VVOA Chinese

At annual defense talks in the Philippines, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged continued cooperation with Southeast Asian nations and said the United States would defend its own interests and those of its allies in the Pacific.
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The Associated Press

Hegseth accused Tehran of building a large conventional missile arsenal to deter military action while pursuing what he called “nuclear ambitions.”
TTRT World

The Pentagon says the Army will livestream the upcoming firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who backed the decision, called the broadcast a “no-brainer” in an interview.
GGlobal News

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military will livestream an execution for the first time, making it viewable worldwide. The person due to die by firing squad was the shooter in the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.
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NBC News
Reports that mention this person, by story.
The Pentagon has backed a war memorial guard who told Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his companions to maintain “silence and respect” during a Veterans Day visit.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a Joint Service Commendation Medal to the soldier who reprimanded him and members of his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A guard silenced Pete Hegseth, his wife and aides at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Wednesday. The group was at Arlington National Cemetery for a Veterans Day ceremony and was reprimanded for laughing and taking pictures in front of the solemn memorial.

During a Veterans Day visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns, someone in Hegseth’s group laughed after a group photo, prompting an admonishment.

A soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington tells US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his group to stay quiet and show respect after they take photos and are heard laughing.

A soldier on guard at Arlington’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier tells US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his group to remain silent and show respect after they take photos and are heard laughing.
Fox host Greg Gutfeld and fellow panelists address the unsuccessful push to impeach War Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth’s group was admonished while visiting the Tomb of the Unknowns on Veterans Day. The incident appeared on the live network pool feed at the site, where President Donald Trump had earlier taken part in a wreath-laying ceremony.

In Arlington, President Trump promoted his plans to build a massive arch nearby.

After a Veterans Day ceremony, a soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery verbally reprimanded a group of advisers and staffers accompanying U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth.