Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared Wednesday at the Association of the US Army's annual meeting in Washington to talk about drones, autonomous systems and money. Protesters interrupted him repeatedly, the first of them seconds into his remarks.
Demonstrators disrupted a panel at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, calling him a "war criminal" and demanding an end to the war with Iran. Event security removed them. Hegseth responded with sarcastic quips, and officials and defense industry attendees drowned out the hecklers with chants of "USA, USA, USA!" This account rests on The Hill, Anadolu and a partial Military.com report; no video or transcript of the event was reviewed.
Hegseth used the appearance to pitch a $1.5 trillion defense budget, which now heads to a Congress where, according to The Hill, its path is uncertain amid Democratic opposition to the Iran war.
Five Protesters or Six, and a Few Quick Comebacks
Accounts differ on how many people were removed. The Hill counted at least five, all escorted out. Military.com and The New Republic put the number at six, removed individually. Newsweek, citing Fox News, reported five interruptions in the first half hour and said Metropolitan Police officers joined event security, with one woman carried out by several officers. That police detail appeared only in Newsweek's account.
The first protester, a woman, shouted seconds into his remarks and was swiftly escorted out. Hegseth's response, reported by Military.com, The Hill and Anadolu: "She thinks highly of me." Another demonstrator briefly sounded a handheld air horn. One shouted that the proposed budget was "killing people." Anadolu reported that one held a "No war on Iran" sign, and one protester's chant also referenced Gaza.
As the interruptions continued, Military.com reported that Hegseth remarked, "Appears we have a bit of a tactic." Newsweek read that as the secretary suggesting the protests were coordinated. No group claimed responsibility in the coverage reviewed, so whether the disruptions were organized is unconfirmed. Military.com also reported that Hegseth, a former Fox News host, said the stage felt familiar because "it feels like a television set." Military.com followed the panel from an overflow room, not the main ballroom, so its account is not firsthand from the hall.
Newsweek and The New Republic also reported chants calling Hegseth a Nazi. No other outlet reviewed confirmed that. No arrests or charges were reported in the coverage reviewed.
The Panel Was About Autonomous Warfare, and the Pitch Was About Money
The session centered on Project Agincourt, the Pentagon's push on autonomous and unmanned warfare. Joining Hegseth were acting Army Secretary Adam Telle, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and Air Force Secretary Troy Meink. The Hill reported that Derrick Anderson, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, also appeared; some officials have floated him as a possible next Army secretary, and The Hill described a leadership shake-up in the service.
Hegseth defended the $1.5 trillion request, which The Hill reported amounts to nearly a 50 percent increase over the prior fiscal year. He called it a "one-time generational investment" after "chronic underfunding." According to a separate Hill takeaways piece, which was read only through a search extract, he also defended a plan to cut 20 percent of admirals and generals.
Iran and an Unnamed Rival
On the war itself, Hegseth said the United States must ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weapon, according to Anadolu. He also warned of a "near-peer adversary" building the "most historic military buildup" in history. Anadolu said he did not name China but was referring to it.
The Association of the US Army, which hosts the event, said in a statement to The Hill that "The First Amendment right to protest is fundamental." The statement went on to say the outbursts were "not appropriate" because attendees had agreed to a code of conduct.
What Comes Next
The coverage reviewed showed no announced follow-up on the protesters, such as charges or an association review. The Pentagon's own comment was not found in that coverage. The budget request now goes to Congress, where its path is uncertain, the Iran war continues and the midterms are approaching.
Homeowners: See How Much Equity You Could Borrow Without Refinancing
21 Senior Discounts and Savings Programs Worth Checking in 2026
Replace an Old Tub With a Walk-In Shower: Get a Free Quote
Social Security Changes Coming in 2026 That Impact Everyone
If You Get Social Security, Don't Skip This Month's Benefit Check
Who Has The Cheapest Home Insurance? (Check Your ZIP Code)
0 Comments
Be the first to comment.