Protesters Disrupt Secretary Pete Hegseth's Remarks at Army Conference
Anti-war demonstrators repeatedly interrupted Hegseth's panel on autonomous warfare at the AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., before being removed by security.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced repeated disruptions from anti-war protesters during his appearance at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The demonstrators shouted insults such as "war criminal" and "coward" at Hegseth, protesting U.S. military actions.
At least five times within the first half hour of a panel discussion, protesters interjected with anti-war messages. Hegseth initially responded with laughter and sarcastic remarks, but his patience visibly waned as the disruptions became more frequent. He described the interruptions as "semi-coordinated."
The panel, which focused on Project Agincourt, the Pentagon's initiative to accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous weapons systems, also 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. As the disruptions persisted, the speakers attempted to speak over the protesters.
Security personnel forcibly removed the demonstrators from the event venue, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. At least one woman was carried out by multiple officers while continuing to shout her protest.
It remains unclear how the protesters obtained credentials to attend the AUSA event, which serves as a defense trade show and networking opportunity for military leadership and defense contractors.