Hegseth Tomb of the Unknown Soldier conduct, Digi Mart USA News (Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia): The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery holds the remains of three US servicemen, one repatriated from France, one brought back from Korea, and a Second World War soldier whose theatre of service is unknown. The Tomb is a place of solemn reflection on the Americans who gave their lives in conflicts across the 20th century and beyond.
On Veterans Day, 11 November, an official visitor disrespecting the monument would be considered a scandal, the column argues. Pete Hegseth, described as the former Fox & Friends Weekend host employed as Donald Trump’s “Secretary of War”, was part of a small group attending a ceremony at the Tomb on Wednesday, where he stopped to mark the moment.
When the group relaxed, the column says, they began posing for selfies and laughing. A sentinel on duty reprimanded them loudly, saying: “All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times.” CNN broadcast footage of the rebuke, the column notes.
The writer argues that the same conduct by a Democratic politician would prompt sustained coverage and condemnation from Republicans and Democrats alike. Hegseth has promoted himself as a champion of the US military and its “warfighters”, the column says, making the lapse harder to explain.
The writer also raises a risk that Hegseth could retaliate against the sentinel, a claim presented as a possibility rather than a reported event.
The column further says Hegseth’s standing is vulnerable, citing articles of impeachment brought by Republican congressman Thomas Massie that have been set aside for now, and Democrats’ expected control of Congress in a few months. The writer characterises him as a lightweight and a liability whose conduct may prove his last failure of judgement.
This is an opinion piece based on one publisher article and has not been independently verified.
