Politics

WATCH: Hegseth Confirmation Interrupted by Parade of Screaming Demonstrators

UNHINGED OUTBURSTS

One protestor called Hegseth a “misogynist” and a “Christian Zionist.”

Security personnel remove a protester as Pete Hegseth, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of defense, testifies before a Senate Committee on Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 14, 2025.
Reuters

Several different protestors shouted over Pete Hegseth’s opening statement at his confirmation hearing for defense secretary and had to be removed by security. “You are a misogynist,” one protestor yelled, calling Hegseth “a Christian Zionist” and screaming about the war in Gaza, according to CNN. But seconds after Hegseth, Donald Trump’s highly controversial pick to oversee the military, continued his speech, more shouting erupted, and another protestor was removed. Hegseth showed little reaction, sipping his water until the outburst was quelled. Even then, it wasn’t long before another demonstrator interrupted and was carried out on his back by several Capitol Police officers. Roger Wicker, the senator who chairs the Armed Services Committee, assured that any further protestors would be removed. “I see a pattern—attempted to be inflicted on the committee, and we’re simply not going to tolerate that,” he said. When he could speak during his opening statement, Hegseth vowed to return a “warrior culture” to the Department of Defense. Since Trump announced Hegseth as his pick, the former Fox News host has faced a slew of concerns about his character and fitness—including allegations of infidelity, sexual assault, alcohol abuse, and financial mismanagement as a non-profit executive.