On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, War Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee to address the Pentagon’s multi‑billion‑dollar budget request.
Within seconds of his opening remarks, a series of protesters entered the hearing, interrupting the proceedings and prompting a rapid response from Capitol Police.
The first demonstrator, a woman holding a “No War on Iran” banner, shouted that the conflict was an illegal aggression and cited the loss of 17 American lives and 4,000 Iranian casualties.
She was escorted out, and moments later another woman rose with a similar banner, demanding an end to bombings in Iran and Palestine and also being removed by security.
A third protester, a man holding a banner and shouting, was likewise taken away, followed shortly by a fourth woman who attempted to speak and was similarly detained.
After the disruptions, Hegseth resumed his testimony, outlining a supplemental funding request of $67 billion to cover costs incurred in the Iran conflict and to replenish essential military supplies.
He also presented a request for $1.5 trillion to fund the Department of Defense for the next fiscal year, including $21 billion designated for readiness and the replacement of equipment used in recent operations.
In his opening statement, Hegseth affirmed that every appropriated dollar would focus on building the lethality of the joint force and reinforcing peace through strength, while refraining from naming Iran directly.
