SerpApi.Org
Pete Hegseth was interrupted by protestors while speaking before lawmakers on Tuesday.
The Secretary of Defense was grilled by lawmakers who are overseeing a request for billions in additional funding for the war in Iran. As Hegseth was speaking, a person behind him stood up, holding a banner that read, "NO WAR ON IRAN."
"Stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine, this is illegal!" the activist shouted. Hegseth immediately stopped talking as the demonstrator was removed from the hearing room.
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Hegseth was allowed to reclaim his time to speak since this was the second time he had been interrupted. He had difficulty getting started as he was interrupted by protester after protester, according to reporters in the room.
"Mr. Secretary, please," said Maine Sen. Susan Collins. "Suspend until order is restored in the hearing room."
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Hegseth is expected to face questions from lawmakers about recent reporting that the Pentagon has been slow to disclose injuries to U.S. troops amid the ongoing war. Nearly 100 U.S. service members have suffered some kind of injury since July 7, according to the Pentagon.
The public hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee is to consider a supplemental funding request as the Trump administration continues to lobby members of Congress to fund its war.
Hegseth was joined by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, who honored service members who were killed over the weekend. Meanwhile, Hegseth failed to mention the war.
Four troops were killed over the weekend. Caine's opening statement acknowledged the three soldiers who were publicly identified and the fourth service member who has not been identified.
In total, eighteen U.S. service members have died during the war. Caine expressed his "deep condolences and the condolences of the Joint Force" to the families of the four soldiers.
Hegseth's opening statements didn't mention the troops, repeating a pattern that began when he and Caine held a news conference at the start of the war. Hegseth has previously slammed media coverage focusing on the U.S. troops killed in the war.
"When a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front-page news," he said in a March news conference. "I get it. The press only wants to make the president look bad."
