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Hegseth and team reprimanded by Army guard at solemn war memorial

Grace Eliza Goodwin
Watch: Moment Hegseth is reprimanded by guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and members of his team were admonished by an Army guard at the Arlington National Cemetery after he and his entourage appeared to violate the solemn war memorial's rules for decorum.

A video of the Veterans Day observance event shows Hegseth, his wife and senior advisers laughing and talking while posing for photos in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Army sentinel on duty then steps towards Hegseth and his group and yells: "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."

Rules on etiquette at the cemetery dictate that visitors speak quietly and do not engage in disrespectful or disorderly conduct.

AFP via Getty Images Hegseth standing beside Melania Trump and a group of others, all bowing their headsAFP via Getty Images
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and First Lady Melania Trump bow their heads in prayer during a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

The tomb, which is one of the country's most sacred war memorials, marks the final resting place of an unknown soldier who was killed in World War I.

A service member from the 3rd Infantry Regiment stands watch over the Tomb 24 hours a day and has done so since 1948.

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

"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."

Earlier, President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and other top officials attended the annual wreath-laying ceremony at the cemetery.

During his speech at the ceremony, Trump offered his gratitude to uniformed service members who have fought for the country. He also touted what he sees as his administration's success in the Iran war.

"Under this administration, and it was about time, somebody fought back. All of us fought back," he said.

"And we won," Trump said of the Iran war. "It's just a question of when we want to end it. We want to make sure we have a total victory, not a 93% victory."

Trump also pointed out Hegseth during the ceremony, saying he's done a "fantastic job" as defence secretary.

Trump has repeatedly defended Hegseth amid Democratic lawmakers' push to impeach him. On Tuesday, an effort to impeach the defence secretary under accusations that he waged war on Iran without congressional authorisation failed on Capitol Hill.

Hegseth has called the impeachment efforts a "farce" and a "stunt".