Anti-war protesters disrupt Pete Hegseth’s Iran hearing
Pete Hegseth’s Senate testimony on Trump’s $67 billion Iran war request was repeatedly paused as protesters raised anti-war signs.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Pete Hegseth’s Senate committee appearance on the escalating war with Iran was repeatedly interrupted Tuesday afternoon by anti-war demonstrators, according to TMZ and video from the hearing.
Hegseth, identified by TMZ as the Secretary of War, was testifying as President Trump seeks $67 billion to help pay for the conflict. Video published by TMZ shows the hearing repeatedly grinding to a halt as protesters stood up inside the chamber.
According to TMZ, the demonstrators interrupted one at a time, holding anti-war banners and shouting while Hegseth stopped speaking. The footage shows signs with the message, “NO WAR ON IRAN.”
TMZ reported there were at least four interruptions during the testimony. Hegseth did not argue with the protesters in the moments shown on video. He waited through the disruptions, then resumed speaking after each pause.
The hearing came amid deadly developments tied to the conflict. TMZ reported that two U.S. soldiers were killed Friday in an Iranian attack. TMZ also reported that another U.S. service member died in Iraq during a controlled explosion to destroy an Iranian drone.
Hearing repeatedly paused
The interruptions turned the committee session into a stop-start appearance for Hegseth, who was trying to address lawmakers about the war and the administration’s funding request.
Footage credited by TMZ to Fox News shows protesters being the focus of the room as they rose from their seats with anti-war messages. Each interruption forced Hegseth to break off from his testimony before continuing.
TMZ said Hegseth appeared irritated during the repeated pauses, though he kept his remarks on hold until the chamber settled.
The $67 billion request, as described by TMZ, is intended to help cover the cost of the Iran conflict. The report did not identify which Senate committee held the hearing or provide additional details on the administration’s request.
The protest inside the hearing room was aimed squarely at the war, with demonstrators using both shouted objections and printed signs to press their message. No arrests or removals were detailed in TMZ’s report.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.