US Defense Secretary Hegseth and others were loudly warned by soldiers for joking in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

China News Service, November 12. According to reports from the US "Wall Street Journal" and other US media, on the 11th local time, when US Secretary of Defense Hegseth was attending a commemoration event for US Veterans Day, he was loudly warned by a US soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in the US, asking him and his entourage to maintain an atmosphere of "quietness and respect."

Image source: Screenshot of AP report

According to the Associated Press, the video shows Hegseth posing with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Bria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tammy Radabaugh on the empty steps in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

As the group finished taking photos, there was a loud laugh. The soldiers guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier then turned towards them and shouted: "All visitors must maintain silence and respect at all times."

NBC stated that at that time, Hegseth did not respond to the soldier's serious warning. He just turned his head and glanced and continued to walk forward along the steps.

According to reports, U.S. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell acknowledged that the incident occurred, but said that the person involved did not mean any disrespect.

"The Secretary of Defense and the entire Department of Defense have always respected, and will always respect, the sacrifices our nation's servicemen and women make to keep America safe," Parnell said in a statement. "In commemorating this solemn day, one soldier correctly and respectfully reminds everyone to maintain dignity."

The report pointed out that the day before the incident, Republicans blocked a move to impeach Hegseth.

According to previous reports, Republican Congressman Thomas Macy formally impeached Hegseth on the 9th, listing eight charges including launching military action against Iran without congressional authorization. On the 10th, House Republicans blocked the impeachment of Hegseth in a procedural vote. Except for Macy, no other Republican lawmakers support moving forward with this impeachment.