During the U.S. Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced multiple interruptions from anti-war protesters. The incidents occurred at the autonomous warfare panel on Wednesday.
Protesters voiced strong objections to U.S. military actions abroad. One protester shouted, Children in Gaza are starving! He is a war criminal!
Another exclaimed, You’re not a warrior, you’re a coward!
Despite these disruptions, Hegseth continued to address the panel, responding to one protest with humor, stating, She thinks highly of me.
The convention center’s security removed all six protesters from the event following the interruptions. These protests reflect ongoing public dissent against U.S. military policies in the Middle East. The Trump administration, particularly under Hegseth’s leadership, has faced backlash over its emphatic support for Israel and its strategies regarding the Gaza conflict.
Earlier this year, joint strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces targeted Iran. The campaign, backed by Hegseth and President Donald Trump, aims to counter perceived threats from Iran’s nuclear development, missile capabilities, and naval prowess.
Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon for comments on the disruptions. Updates to this breaking news will follow as more information becomes available.
The article was compiled by editors Samantha Beech and Sam Wilson.