Anti-war protesters repeatedly disrupt Hegseth’s autonomous-warfare panel at Army conference

Anti-war demonstrators repeatedly interrupted War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday during a panel on autonomous weapons at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual meeting, shouting at him over the Iran war until security removed them from the room.

At least five people disrupted the session in its first half hour, according to Fox News, with some branding Mr. Hegseth a war criminal and a coward. The National News Desk counted six protesters, who appeared to be shouting about the Iran war and President Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion military budget.

Mr. Hegseth met the first outbursts with chuckles and sarcasm. As the interruptions continued, the secretary noticed they were spaced a few minutes apart. “Appears we have a bit of a tactic,” he said, calling the disruptions semi-coordinated. He later said Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon. At least one woman was carried out by multiple officers while still shouting. Some audience members responded with patriotic chants, and the panelists eventually stopped pausing and spoke over the noise.

The Association of the U.S. Army said in a statement that it supports the right to protest but that attendees agree to a code of conduct, and it called the outbursts inappropriate. The group thanked security and the Metropolitan Police Department for keeping the forum on track. It is unclear how the protesters obtained credentials, Fox reported.

The panel centered on Project Agincourt, the Pentagon’s effort to speed up deployment of drones, robotics and other unmanned systems. Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink and Assistant Secretary of War Derrick Anderson joined Mr. Hegseth, with Owen West moderating.

Mr. Hegseth said the planned Autonomous Warfare Command would move the military beyond separate drone programs, and he argued the need is urgent. “We need this kind of authority yesterday,” he said.

The Pentagon has set Oct. 1, 2027, as the target date for the four-star command, but it needs an act of Congress, Military Times reported. The Army has separately ordered its own autonomous-systems command, though its leadership, location and timeline have not been announced.