"Keep quiet" warning to the US Secretary of Defense

A group of advisors and staff to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth were given a verbal warning by a soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

In the footage, Hegseth can be seen taking photos on the empty stairs in front of the grave with his wife Jennifer, Chief of Staff Ricky Buria, Deputy Chief of Staff Patrick Weaver and senior advisor Tami Radabaugh.

Loud laughter was heard as the group finished taking photos. Thereupon, the soldier guarding the grave called out, "All visitors are expected to maintain an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times."

Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's top spokesman, said in a statement: "As we commemorated this meaningful day, a soldier accurately and respectfully reminded everyone that they must abide by the rules of appropriate conduct."

IT HAPPENED ONE DAY AFTER THE IMPEACHMENT ATTEMPT

Hegseth and his team were at the cemetery as part of a larger Veterans Day commemoration ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

On the other hand, this incident happened a day after Hegseth narrowly escaped an attempt by members of Congress to impeach him.

The impeachment attempt, led by Republican Kentucky Representative Thomas Massie and supported by Democrats, failed in the vote on Tuesday. However, it is stated that the unsuccessful attempt by Hegseth's critics may have only postponed efforts to dismiss the defense minister. Impeachment attempts are expected to come to the fore again when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives and the Senate in January.

Hegseth reacted to the impeachment attempt at his first press conference in months on Tuesday. He argued that he had not committed any of the serious crimes defined in the Constitution that would warrant his removal from office.

The basis of Hegseth's defense was the claim that criticisms against him and his way of leading the US military were an accusation directed at the soldiers who served the country and their achievements.