Hegseth faces backlash after group laughs at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced 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 Cedric Leighton called the incident "disturbing" and "inappropriate," questioning why the entourage treated the sacred memorial with levity. Former CNN correspondent Barbara Starr also questioned Hegseth's judgment, noting silence and respect are expected at the cemetery, especially on Veterans Day. The incident sparked widespread online outrage, with commentators accusing Hegseth of disrespecting troops and failing to uphold military values. Critics shared footage and condemned the behavior as disgraceful, with some questioning the example set by military and civilian leaders.