Hegseth awards medal to soldier who scolded him
Philip Kennicott, The Washington Post: An ordinary soldier demanded respect from the man who styles himself the secretary of war
Who's Out · 3 sources · November 13, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, his wife, and aides were admonished by a military sentinel after they were observed laughing and talking during a visit to the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Video of the incident drew furious backlash from critics. Hegseth subsequently awarded a medal to the soldier who scolded him. The episode drew renewed attention to the embattled defense secretary, who had survived an impeachment attempt the day before.
“Video elicited furious backlash from critics incredulous that a defense secretary would behave disrespectfully at one of the nation’s most sacred memorials.”
Sources
- Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised himNPR · tier 1 · November 13, 2026 at 5:27 AM
- Hegseth awards medal to soldier who admonished him, his team at Tomb of the UnknownsThe Washington Post · tier 1 · November 12, 2026 at 1:46 PM
- Hegseth presents award to soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown SoldierPBS NewsHour · tier 1 · November 12, 2026 at 1:35 PM
- Hegseth and his entourage scolded by military sentinel at Tomb of the UnknownsThe Washington Post · tier 1 · November 11, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Opinion
- At the Tomb, Hegseth could not hear the silence that others hold sacredPhilip Kennicott, The Washington Post
Timeline
- November 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM — First source: The Washington Post — “Hegseth and his entourage scolded by military sentinel at Tomb of the Unknowns”
- November 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM — Added: PBS NewsHour — “Hegseth presents award to soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier”
- November 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM — Added: The Washington Post — “Hegseth awards medal to soldier who admonished him, his team at Tomb of the Unknowns”
- November 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM — Added: NPR — “Hegseth awards medal to soldier who chastised him”
- November 13, 2026 at 4:57 PM — Added: The Washington Post — “At the Tomb, Hegseth could not hear the silence that others hold sacred”
- November 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM — Writer flags: unsupported