Florida GOP Official Backtracks After Criticizing Soldier Who Reprimanded Hegseth

A Florida Republican official faced backlash after criticizing an Army sentinel who reprimanded Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's group for laughing at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Veterans Day. The official later claimed her comments were distorted. Angie Wong, a Miami-Dade County GOP committee member, told News Nation that Hegseth was "yelled at" despite laying a wreath, and defended him as "the most effective war secretary." After journalist Aaron Rupar shared her remarks on X, Wong denied them, but users replied with audio evidence, prompting her to make her profile private. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell defended the soldier's reminder to maintain decorum, stating the department always honors military sacrifices. Veterans groups condemned the group's behavior during the solemn ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.