Furious Republican fumes as 'not popular' Trump official gets reprimanded

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is facing increased scrutiny after Republicans suffered massive midterm losses last week — with many voters citing the Iran war among the main reasons for their dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump. And Hegseth riled even more feathers on Wednesday when members of his entourage started laughing while visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A Florida Republican, reacting to a video of a soldier enforcing the rules of respect on Hegseth, scolded the soldier for reminding Hegseth's group that they are not allowed to make noise while paying respect at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"Yeah, talk about paying respect," Miami Republican Committeewoman Angie Wong told NewsNation on Wednesday. "You just have the war secretary lay a wreath on Veterans Day and then get yelled at. Look, I understand Pete Hegseth might not be having the best week. He’s not popular right now. People are blaming him for an illegal Iranian war. No, it was completely legal. They don’t like his moves, but he’s the most effective war secretary that we’ve had."

A guest countered Wong's description of Hegseth, disagreeing that Hegseth was an effective Cabinet member and pointing out that he can be seen taking photographs at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, even though that is also considered inappropriate.

As CNN reported earlier on Wednesday, "Secretary Hegseth and some of his senior staff were at Arlington national cemetery alongside president Trump and JD Vance for this Veterans Day Ceremony. And there's this moment that was captured on camera where the army sentinel, who guards the tomb of the unknown soldier, effectively reprimands the secretary of defense and those staffers as they were taking photos.”

CNN Pentagon correspondent Zachary Cohen added, “For people who don't know, the tomb of the Unknown Soldier is one of the most sacred war memorials in the U.S., marking the final resting place of an unknown soldier who was killed in World War One. A soldier assigned to the old guard guards that tomb, rain or shine, in all circumstances, 24 hours a day, and has done so since 1948. So obviously decorum, the atmosphere is supposed to be very solemn. And this soldier clearly reminding the secretary of defense of that in real time."

The soldier who reprimanded Hegseth and his group remains unknown, but CNN's Brianna Keilar pointed out that it is unlikely he was singling out Hegseth. All guests at the tomb are expected to follow those rules.