Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on President Donald Trump's FY2027 budget request for the Department of Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2026. REUTERS/Eric Lee
A protester interrupted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a congressional hearing on Thursday as the Trump administration official faces heightened scrutiny over the Iran war and Pentagon budget.
The Pentagon chief testified for the second day before congressional leaders, this time speaking to the Senate Armed Services Committee and defending the ongoing military operation in Iran and the Pentagon's $1.5 trillion budget request when a protester interjected, yelling at Hegseth during his opening statement.
"You're a war criminal. You should be arrested. What you're doing is despicable!" A heckler in the room yelled out.
The person, whose name was not immediately known, was removed from the hearing.
heckler to Hegseth: "You're a war criminal. You should be arrested. What you're doing is despicable!" pic.twitter.com/hOrL2dCLgK
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 30, 2026