Trump campaign staff had altercation with official at Arlington National Cemetery & New details emerge about rump campaign's altercation at Arlington National Cemetery & Review says Kabul airport attack wasn't preventable, refutes claims troops sighted the would-be bomber 28AUG & 15APR24
Guard scolds Hegseth, advisers for laughing at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
WASHINGTON – A U.S. Army sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier scolded Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and his senior advisers for not being respectful after some members in the group laughed while posing for pictures in front of the memorial.
"All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all time," the sentinel yelled, prompting Hegseth and other members of the group to turn around as they were walking away from the memorial. The incident, which was captured by television cameras, took place after a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to Hegseth, the group admonished by the sentinel included his chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, senior adviser Tami Radabaugh and Hegseth's wife, Jennifer Hegseth. It was not clear which members of the group were laughing.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a statement that Hegseth “and the entire Department have always honored—and will always honor—the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe.
“While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum,” Parnell added.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the burial site of an unidentifiable soldier who was killed in World War I. It is a revered war memorial and guarded by a sentinel at all hours and in all weather. Serving as a sentinel, the title of the soldier in charge of guarding the tomb, is considered to be one of the highest honors in the U.S. military.
Hegseth visited the tomb after the Veterans Day ceremony, which was attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Trump praised Hegseth in a speech at the event, saying that the Pentagon chief had done a "fantastic job" in his role.
Soldier Shouts at Hegseth’s Group to Show ‘Respect’ at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was scolded on Wednesday at the Tomb of the Unknowns by an Army sentinel after laughter broke out among a group that accompanied him.
Mr. Hegseth, his wife and some advisers had been posing for pictures and chatting in front of the tomb, also called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a solemn memorial at Arlington National Cemetery for military members who were killed in battle and remain unidentified.
Video recorded by reporters showed the sentinel guarding the tomb turning to face Mr. Hegseth’s group shortly after audible laughter from a woman among them.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” the sentinel shouted toward Mr. Hegseth and others as they were leaving.
The rules for ceremonies at the cemetery prohibit visitors from yelling or making any other “boisterous” or “unreasonably loud” noise.
The defense secretary had been attending the annual Veterans Day wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery alongside President Trump.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, said in a statement that the sentinels’ reaction was appropriate.
“The Secretary and the entire Department have always honored — and will always honor — the sacrifices our military men and women have made to keep America safe,” Mr. Parnell said. “While commemorating this solemn day, a soldier correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
Guarding the tomb is a coveted position for an elite milliary unit, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, that stands watch there 24 hours a day. The tradition of standing continuously over the tomb dates back nearly nine decades.
The regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” directed questions to Mr. Parnell.
With Mr. Hegseth on Wednesday were his wife, Jennifer Hegseth, and three advisers, Ricky Buria, Tami Radabaugh and Patrick Weaver.
It is not the first controversy related to decorum involving the president and his staff at the cemetery.
In 2024 a confrontation occurred between Mr. Trump’s campaign team and a cemetery official for taking photos and videos in a section of the burial reserved for American troops killed in recent wars. A statement from the cemetery at the time said that federal law prohibits political campaigning and related activities within Army cemeteries.
Mr. Trump had attended a wreath-laying ceremony for 13 American troops killed in a suicide bombing during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Footage of Mr. Trump at the ceremony later appeared in a TikTok video released by his campaign.
And in 2017 during his first term, Mr. Trump visited the military grave of the son of John F. Kelly, a retired Marine general, and said, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”
Mr. Hegseth is a combat veteran who served in the Army National Guard. The defense secretary faced an impeachment bid in Congress on Tuesday that was ultimately shelved by House Republicans. Pressure has mounted on the defense secretary since last week’s midterm electoral outcome, which was driven in part by deep frustrations with the Iran war.
But Mr. Hegseth has continued to enjoy the support of Mr. Trump.
Shortly after the ceremony on Wednesday, Mr. Hegseth posted on social media a picture at the site of the ceremony with his wife.
“Happy Veterans Day — to our best Americans,” he wrote, adding, “Thank God for our warriors, past and present.”
Eric Schmidt contributed reporting.
U.S. Politics: News and Analysis
Here’s a look at the political landscape across America.
Impeachment Charges Against Hegseth: Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, set in motion a vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating the Constitution and federal law in his conduct of the war with Iran and other military operations.
Progressive Electability Questions: As Democrats prepare to take power in Congress, some centrists are brushing off the victories of left-wing candidates. The left is pushing back.
A Texas First: At 87, Senfronia Thompson, of Houston, is set to become the first Black lawmaker and first woman to serve as speaker in the Texas House. It would also mean the state’s three most powerful policymakers — the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker — would all be women for the first time in Texas history.
“Ready for AOC”: A new political organization aims to encourage Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to run for president, and to demonstrate that a formidable organizing apparatus is awaiting her.
Trump said retired Gen. John Kelly 'got eaten alive' as White House chief of staff after reports claimed he made rude remarks at the grave of Kelly's son
Sep 5, 2020, 12:57 PM ET
President Donald Trump's 2018 decision not to visit a World War I veteran cemetery in Paris has reignited tension with his former chief of staff John Kelly. At a Friday press briefing, Trump reiterated old claims that Kelly was ill-equipped for his post.
"He was with me, didn't do a good job, had no temperament, and ultimately he was petered out," Trump said. "He got eaten alive. He was unable to handle the pressure of this job."
The president's comments follow a Thursday report from The Atlantic that Trump didn't find it important to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery two years ago, telling senior staff at the time: "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers."
Kelly, a retired four-star Marine Corps general and Trump's longest-serving chief of staff, attended the event along with other world leaders. When Trump received public backlash for his absence, he privately blamed Kelly for telling him he could defer the invitation due to inclement weather, Washington Post reporters Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig wrote in their book, "A Very Stable Genius."
"I could've f------ gone!" Trump reportedly told aides. "I was willing to go! They're killing me for it!"
Trump also made insensitive remarks to Kelly during a visit to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day 2017, the Atlantic reported Thursday.
On the trip, the two stopped at the grave of Kelly's son, 1st Lt. Robert Kelly, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. While they were standing there, Trump reportedly turned to Kelly and said: "I don't get it. What was in it for them?"
Sources close to Kelly told The Atlantic he initially thought the president was commenting on the selflessness of America's service members. Later, they added, the retired general came to believe that Trump didn't understand the idea of personal sacrifice.
Kelly has stayed mum on the incidents at both cemeteries after declining to comment to The Atlantic. The White House called the reports "just another anonymously sourced story meant to tear down a Commander-in-Chief."
But there have been prior reports of tension between Trump and the retired general.
Kelly previously compared having to refuse Trump's requests to "French kissing a chainsaw," according to New York Times correspondent Michael Schmidt's book, "Donald Trump v. The United States: Inside the Struggle to Stop a President."
"Kelly has told others that Trump wanted to behave like an authoritarian and repeatedly had to be restrained and told what he could and could not legally do," Schmidt wrote.
In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported that Kelly used to mute the phone line during Trump's calls with world leaders to tell him to stop discussing sensitive information. Then in February, Kelly defended a key witness in Trump's impeachment inquiry, retired Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.
Shortly after, Trump blasted Kelly on Twitter.
"When I terminated John Kelly, which I couldn't do fast enough, he knew full well that he was way over his head. Being Chief of Staff just wasn't for him," Trump wrote. "He came in with a bang, went out with a whimper, but like so many X's, he misses the action [and] just can't keep his mouth shut."
