During the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, held in Washington, D.C., Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth encountered disruptions from anti-war protesters. These interruptions occurred four times within about five minutes during his participation in an autonomous warfare panel. The event took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
One protester’s voice rose above the crowd, proclaiming, ‘Children in Gaza are starving! He is a war criminal!’ Another protester accused Hegseth, saying, ‘You’re not a warrior, you’re a coward!’ After one such disturbance, Hegseth addressed the situation with a quip: ‘She thinks highly of me.’ Despite the interruptions, he continued his speech, though all six protesters were eventually escorted from the venue.
The disruptions highlight ongoing opposition to U.S. military policies in the Middle East. The Trump administration has faced scrutiny for its support of Israel and its actions in Gaza. Hegseth has been a key figure in the administration’s intensified military efforts against Iran in 2026.
Recently, U.S. and Israeli military forces initiated strikes against Iran. According to Hegseth and President Donald Trump, the goal of these operations is to neutralize threats from Iran’s nuclear capabilities, missiles, navy, and other military strengths.
Newsweek has contacted the Pentagon for a statement via email.
This is a developing news story. More updates will be provided as they become available.
For any inquiries, the Newsweek editors responsible for this story are Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.
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