Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was interrupted four times in roughly five minutes by anti-war protesters Wednesday during an autonomous warfare panel at the U.S. Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. He is a war criminal!” one protester shouted during the panel at the Walter E.
Washington Convention Center. Another yelled, “You’re not a warrior, you’re a coward!” After one interruption, Hegseth quipped, “She thinks highly of me.” All six protesters appeared to be escorted out of the event after interrupting Hegseth, who continued speaking over their shouts. The disruptions come amid continued opposition to U.S. military policy in the Middle East.
The Trump administration has faced criticism over its support for Israel and its approach to the war in Gaza, while Hegseth has also played a leading role in the administration’s expanded military campaign against Iran in 2026. U.S. and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran earlier this year, with Hegseth and President Donald Trump saying the ongoing campaign is intended to eliminate threats posed by Iran’s nuclear program, missiles, navy and other military capabilities. Newsweek reached out to the Pentagon via email for comment.
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