09/17/2026
During the heated September 15, 2026, budget hearing, a retired Air Force airman attended the meeting in full military uniform to protest the county’s $1 billion Israeli bond holdings. When the speaker continued to address the bond investments after being told it was out of order for the budget meeting, Commissioner Flores—who is also a military veteran—ordered sheriff’s deputies to remove him.As the airman was being escorted from the audience, Commissioner Flores stated, “You’re an embarrassment to that uniform,” adding that service members are taught to respect the rules and that the protester had failed to do so.In response, the veteran yelled back at the commission, “I’m proud to be removed from this fascist [meeting]. You should be ashamed of yourself,” which sparked a wave of gasps and shouting from the audience before a recess was called.
Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners include:
Mayor Sara Baxter (District 6)
Vice Mayor Marci Woodward (District 4) Marci Woodward
Commissioner Maria G. Marino (District 1)
Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss
Commissioner Joel G. Flores (District 3) (The member who made the uniform comment) commissionerjoelflores
Commissioner Maria Sachs (District 5)
Commissioner Bobby Powell, Jr. (District 7): Bobby Powell
