Hegseth awards medal to soldier who scolded him at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal to Specialist Thomas Iglesias, the soldier who reprimanded him for breaking silence at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. The ceremony occurred at the Pentagon on Thursday. The award recognized Iglesias for his duties on November 11, 2026, after video showed him telling Hegseth's group to maintain silence and respect. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the soldier's actions, noting the medal is rarely given to junior enlisted members. Hegseth faces renewed impeachment threats from Democrats, who take control of Congress in January, following a failed House effort this week. He dismissed the push as sabotage, amid criticism over his handling of the Iran war and military operations.