Anti-war protesters disrupt Hegseth's speech during Army event in DC

The protesters interrupted the panel at least five times in the first half hour of the panel discussion. They were spread throughout the room and waited a few minutes between their outbursts.

By Kevin Killough

Published: October 14, 2026 12:13pm

Protesters on Wednesday repeatedly interrupted War Secretary Pete Hegseth's appearance on a panel at the U.S. Army's 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition — the branch's biggest annual conference.

In protest of the war in Iran and in support of Palestine, the protesters called Hegseth a "war criminal, a "coward," and a "f---king Nazi," Fox News reported.

The protesters interrupted the panel at least five times in the first half hour of the panel discussion. They were spread throughout the room and waited a few minutes between their outbursts. As the protesters shouted their remarks, security rushed in to forcibly remove them one-by-one.

Hegseth responded with laughter and sarcastic remarks, but as the interruptions continued, he appeared to be increasingly irritated. He remarked the protest appeared to be a coordinated effort.

"The protesters are spouting off slogans, Iran really will never have a nuclear weapon," Hegseth said.

Besides Hegseth, the panel included acting Army Secretary Adam Telle, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and assistant Secretary for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Derrick Evans.