Secretary of State Marco Rubio walked into the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday morning to a chorus of protests — his first congressional testimony since the Trump administration launched the war in Iran three months ago.
As Rubio entered the hearing room, protesters erupted from their seats and screamed directly at him.
"Marco Rubio, stop killing Cubans!" one shouted. "Repent, repent Marco Rubio!" another cried, as Capitol Police moved in to drag them out.
Before the hearing even began, a separate group was arrested outside the briefing room. NewsNation's Joe Khalil reported the group was "very vocal," chanting "Rubio lies, people with AIDS die." The Associated Press also reported protesters chanting, "One child dies every 30 mins."
The disruptions set a combative tone for a hearing centered on the State Department's $36 billion budget request but expected to pivot quickly to the faltering ceasefire with Tehran. Tehran suspended talks Monday after Israel continued strikes on Lebanon.
Rubio's prepared remarks offered little conciliation. "The U.S. government is not a charity," he wrote. "We are not here to play social worker."
The committee's ranking Democrat, New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, was withering in her opening remarks — accusing Rubio of refusing to provide information on U.S. operations in Iran, the American troop posture in Europe, and support for Ukraine.
"When you do notify Congress, it's to inform us of decisions you have already made," Shaheen said.
It is Rubio's first public appearance before Congress since the war began in February — with a ceasefire under strain and midterms on the horizon.