US Defense Secretary Faces Protests at Military Event Over Iran War and Gaza Genocide
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced intense protests and vocal outrage while addressing a military conference in Washington, D.C., as demonstrators accused him of being a war criminal and a coward over US policies regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The disruption occurred during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The chaos erupted while Mr. Hegseth was participating in a panel discussion focused on autonomous warfare and unmanned systems.
According to eyewitness accounts, multiple protesters stood up one after another during the panel to harshly criticize US military policies. Demonstrators shouted statements such as, ‘Children are starving in Gaza!’ and ‘You are killing my family!’ One protester directly confronted the Defense Secretary, stating, ‘You are no warrior; you are a coward and a war criminal. You belong in the Hague at the International Criminal Court.’ Banners reading ‘No War on Iran’ were also displayed across the conference hall.
Amid the disruption, Mr. Hegseth attempted to manage the situation, responding at times with sarcastic remarks. Referring to the first demonstrator, he quipped, ‘He has a pretty high opinion of me,’ eliciting laughter from some audience members. Security personnel and law enforcement officers stepped in promptly to remove the protesters from the room one by one.
Once order was restored, Mr. Hegseth defended the Trump administration’s military strategy in his address. He emphasized that ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon remains a top priority for the US. Furthermore, he reiterated previous calls for a $1.5 trillion investment in defense to counter China’s growing military influence. The incident underscores the rising political tension and public discontent within the United States stemming from the administration’s Middle East policies and posture toward Iran
Source: Anadolu Agency
