Hegseth awards medal to soldier who rebuked his group outside Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a medal to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias, a sentinel who rebuked Hegseth and his aides for improper decorum outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. Hegseth posted a photo of the ceremony, praising Iglesias for upholding standards.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth awarded a medal on Thursday to Army Specialist Thomas Iglesias, a sentinel who rebuked Hegseth and his aides for failing to maintain proper decorum outside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. Hegseth posted a picture of him pinning a medal on Iglesias alongside members of his unit, the 3d US Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard. Hegseth wrote, "We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist. Carry on, Patriots." In a viral video, Iglesias was seen shouting at Hegseth, his wife, and senior aides after they were seen taking pictures and talking on the steps of the memorial following a Veterans Day event. Iglesias exclaimed, "All visitors will maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times." The article also notes that Hegseth, a former Army National Guard soldier, recently survived an impeachment attempt in the House of Representatives.