The Independent

Hegseth heckled by protestors during Iran war funding hearing

Pete Hegseth was heckled by protesters as he was questioned on the growing costs of the Trump administration’s war in Iran. In his first testimony on the conflict in more than two months, the defense secretary urged senators to approve what he is calling “an urgent, necessary injection” of $67bn into the US military. During his opening remarks in Washington DC, on Tuesday (21 July), Mr Hegseth was accused of having “blood on his hands” by a protester outside the room. “Stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine - this is illegal,” a protester said again, in a second outburst just moments later. Senator Susan Collins paused proceedings twice, explaining: “I know that individuals feel very passionately, but we must have order in the hearing room so that we can proceed.” Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent Find us on social: TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@independent Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/the.independent/ X (Twitter) / https://twitter.com/Independent Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations