Hegseth and colleagues reprimanded for laughing at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

“All visitors must maintain a spirit of silence and respect at all times!” a member of the honor guard shouted as Hegseth and his party approached the memorial.

The incident was captured on video and quickly went viral in US media. The footage shows the group taking photos at the monument when a burst of laughter is heard.

Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is one of the most important cemeteries in the United States. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell was quick to support the honor guard’s call: “While honoring this solemn day, the honor guard was correct in reminding everyone to maintain decorum.”