A video showing Pete Hegseth and members of his entourage being ordered to remain quiet at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery has triggered widespread criticism. Now, Vietnam War veteran Michael Lemmon has joined those speaking out against the Secretary of War, delivering a particularly harsh assessment and describing his behavior as “juvenile.”
The controversy began on Wednesday when Hegseth visited Arlington National Cemetery alongside his wife, Jennifer, White House chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver, and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.
However, what was supposed to be a solemn visit quickly became controversial when the group stopped to take photographs at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
As they posed for pictures, laughter could reportedly be heard coming from one of the people in the entourage. The noise prompted a soldier standing guard to intervene and remind everyone of the memorial’s strict expectations.
“All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times!” the guard shouted.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is protected around the clock by members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, widely known as The Old Guard.
Their responsibility is to honor American service members who lost their lives while serving their country but whose identities were never established.
Guarding the memorial is regarded as one of the most sacred responsibilities within the US military. Strict standards of conduct apply to every visitor, regardless of their military rank, political position or public influence.
Since the confrontation, the incident involving Hegseth has generated considerable debate on social media, with many questioning the behavior of his entourage at such an important national memorial.
The controversy continued on Thursday when the Secretary of War decided to recognize the soldier who had reprimanded his group. The guard was identified as Specialist Thomas Iglesias, and Hegseth presented him with a medal for his conduct during the previous day’s ceremony.
Vietnam War Veteran Criticizes Pete Hegseth Amid Arlington Cemetery Controversy
Despite the recognition given to Iglesias, the medal presentation did little to quiet the criticism surrounding the incident. Hegseth has not publicly apologized for what happened at Arlington, and another prominent voice has now joined the growing number of people questioning his conduct.
Appearing on CNN on Wednesday, Vietnam War veteran Michael Lemmon strongly criticized Hegseth, arguing that the behavior displayed by the Secretary of War’s entourage reflected the same “Animal House” mentality he believes has taken hold within the Department of Defense.
Lemmon, who is also suing the Pentagon over the construction of the Trump Arch, began by praising the soldier who intervened.
“My first reaction was, God bless that soldier for doing his duty. My second reaction was this is emblematic of the ‘Animal House’ type of secretary of defense and Pentagon that we seem to have now,” Lemmon said.
He then questioned how senior government officials could fail to understand the importance of maintaining silence and showing respect at such a significant military memorial.
“You’d think that they would know better, that you have to be solemn and quiet and respectful at that tomb in particular, but at Arlington National Cemetery in general,” he continued.
Lemmon went on to argue that the incident reflected a deeper problem within the Pentagon, suggesting that senior officials were failing to appreciate the emotional and historical significance of Arlington National Cemetery.
“I think this is emblematic of, shall we say, the very shallow appreciation that senior levels seem to have of the symbolic, emotional, fundamental importance of Arlington National Cemetery and its sensitivity. It is sacred ground.”
‘The Rot Is Beginning to Spread’: Veteran Delivers Another Warning About Hegseth
During his appearance on CNN, Lemmon also told anchor Erin Burnett that Arlington National Cemetery represented an “unwritten combat between veterans and their government.”
The conversation then turned to Hegseth’s broader vision for the future of the US military.
Burnett played a clip of the Secretary of War outlining his plans and explaining the kind of military culture he wants to establish. In the footage, Hegseth declared that the department was:
“No longer the woke department or the weak department. No fanny, no fatties, no trannies, no beards, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors. Just tough, ready committed troops.”
Lemmon strongly disagreed with the message, arguing that Hegseth’s approach was damaging more than just the military’s physical capabilities.
According to the Vietnam War veteran, the secretary’s leadership was also having a negative impact on the morale of American service members.
Lemmon explained that he remains in contact with numerous people serving in the military, as well as veterans who have already retired. He said conversations with them had contributed to his growing concerns about the direction of the Pentagon.
“I’ve got lots of friends who are still serving, as well as many retired. And the rot, you know, a fish rots from the head on down, and the rot is beginning to spread,” he told CNN.
He also criticized Hegseth’s treatment of senior military leadership, pointing to what he described as the damage being done to experienced generals, admirals and other high-ranking Pentagon officials.
“What [Hegseth] has done to some of our finest generals and admirals and senior officials in the Pentagon is incredible. This is like a juvenile finally, with power and not being able to restrain himself,” Michael Lemmon said.
His remarks add another layer to the growing controversy surrounding Hegseth’s Arlington visit and his leadership of the Department of Defense.
What do you think about Michael Lemmon’s criticism of Pete Hegseth and the incident at Arlington National Cemetery? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.