Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced a wave of criticism Wednesday after an Army sentinel reprimanded his group for laughing near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Veterans Day visit to Arlington National Cemetery.
CNN military analyst and retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton called the incident “disturbing” and questioned why members of the defense secretary’s entourage treated one of the nation’s most sacred military memorials as an opportunity for levity.
“It's certainly inappropriate,” he said. “And I wonder who thought it was a good idea to take pictures in that particular location at that particular time.”
He added that military and civilian leaders should set an example for others, warning that “any deviation from that example is, to say the least, problematic.”
Former longtime CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr also questioned Hegseth’s judgment after footage showed an Army sentinel ordering his group to maintain “an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.”
“Would the Secretary of Defense not be aware that silence and respect are the way to go at Arlington National Cemetery every day, but especially on Veterans Day?” Starr asked.
The incident quickly sparked outrage online.
Journalist Aaron Rupar shared CNN’s footage with a one-word reaction: “Wow.”
Progressive commentator Joanne Carducci, known as @JoJoFromJerz, offered a harsher assessment.
“A single clip that captures the way this entire rotted regime sees our troops,” she wrote on X. “F——g disgraceful.”
Another liberal commentator, @Covie_93, accused Hegseth of failing to demonstrate the military values he frequently promotes, writing on social media that “showing respect is more than just wearing an American flag jacket lining and pocket square.”
Progressive influencer Lucas Sanders reacted with a simple “Yikes,” while MeidasTouch editor Ron Filipkowski responded: “Because of course.”