US soldier reprimands Defense Minister Hegseth's group - at full volume

“All visitors must ensure an atmosphere of silence and respect at all times,” shouted the soldier dressed in parade uniform before turning away again. Hegseth and his companions turned around briefly before continuing on. Previously, loud laughter and snippets of conversation could be heard from the group around the Pentagon chief, as a video shows.

According to the recordings, Hegseth and his companions had gathered for photos at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. According to CNN, the minister's group included his wife Jennifer and senior advisers, including Chief of Staff Ricky Buria, Deputy Chief of Staff Patrick Weaver and adviser Tami Radabaugh. Previously, President Donald Trump spoke to soldiers, veterans and leaders of his administration in Arlington on the occasion of Veterans Day.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a significant memorial to U.S. soldiers who died in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It also includes an empty gravesite honoring missing soldiers.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told NBC News that Hegseth and the ministry had "always honored" the soldiers' sacrifices. “As we marked this solemn date, a soldier rightly and respectfully reminded everyone to behave appropriately,” Parnell said.

There have been permanent guard posts for more than 70 years

According to the national cemetery, the monument honoring unknown soldiers is the most famous attraction in the huge complex. It was created in 1921 in honor of an unknown fallen soldier from the First World War and has served as a central memorial for the US armed forces ever since.

According to the cemetery administration, the first guards were sent to the monument in 1925 because of incidents of disrespectful behavior. Since 1948, guards from the third infantry regiment have been patrolling there around the clock.

The opposition Democrats reacted immediately to the defense minister's faux pas on a momentous day for the US military. "Pete Hegseth is proving once again that he is completely unfit for office," Democratic Congresswoman Gwen Moore said on the online service

Impeachment proceedings against Hegseth had initially failed the day before (more on that here). In the House of Representatives, where President Trump's Republicans still have the majority, the representatives voted on Tuesday with 211 votes to 204 to refer a request from Republican Representative Thomas Massie to initiate impeachment proceedings to the Judiciary Committee.

After the Republicans' election defeat in the midterms, Hegseth is under massive pressure, especially because of the unpopular Iran War.

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