Pete Hegseth takes the stage at a major Army conference to discuss autonomous warfare, gets called a ‘Nazi’, ‘war criminal’ and ‘coward’
‘Appears we have a bit of a tactic.’
War Secretary Pete Hegseth faced repeated disruptions from anti-war protesters while speaking at a major Army conference on October 14, 2026. The scene unfolded at the U.S. Army’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. This event brought together top military brass to discuss the future of the armed forces. The primary focus of the discussion was the Pentagon’s aggressive push into autonomous warfare.
The panel specifically highlighted Project Agincourt. According to Reality Tea, this initiative aims to fast-track the development and deployment of drones, robotics, and other autonomous systems. Hegseth shared the stage with senior leaders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Newsweek reports that Derrick Anderson, assistant secretary for special operations, also participated in the session.
Protesters scattered throughout the room repeatedly interrupted the discussion. Around six people targeted Hegseth during the first half hour of the event. The hecklers shouted various accusations directly at the Secretary. One individual labeled him a “war criminal.” Another person called him a “coward.” A third person called him a“f—–g Nazi.”
Hegseth maintained a composed demeanor throughout the outbursts
At first, the War Secretary responded to the interruptions with chuckles and sarcastic remarks. When one protester yelled that he was not a warrior, he quipped, “She thinks highly of me.” He also addressed the crowd by suggesting the disruptions were a coordinated tactic. “Appears we have a bit of a tactic,” he noted during the panel. He described the protesters as simply “spouting off slogans.”
Security personnel and the Metropolitan Police eventually removed the demonstrators from the building. One woman was carried out of the room by multiple officers while she continued shouting. The Association of the U.S. Army issued a statement to Fox News regarding the incident.
They emphasized that they respect the First Amendment right to protest. However, they pointed out that all attendees must follow a code of conduct. The organization stated that the outbursts were not appropriate during the forum.
The protesters ensured their message was heard
They interrupted Hegseth four times in about five minutes during the panel. One person shouted, “Children in Gaza are starving! He is a war criminal!” All six protesters involved in that incident were escorted from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where the event was being held.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson addressed the situation following the incidents. She dismissed the protesters as “performative, left-wing activists” in a statement. Wilson asserted that Hegseth remained undeterred by these events. She defended the U.S. military as “the greatest fighting force the world has ever known.” Wilson also credited President Donald Trump and Hegseth for overseeing successful operations with professionalism.
The protests reflect growing domestic tension regarding U.S. military policy. The current administration faces significant criticism over its approach to the genocide in Gaza. Hegseth has also taken a leading role in the expanded military campaign against Iran. This conflict began in early 2026. Trump and Hegseth claim the campaign aims to dismantle threats from Iran. These threats include nuclear programs, missiles, and naval capabilities.
Public opinion on these military efforts remains divided
A Pew Research Center poll from October 8 showed broad opposition. The data revealed that 65% of Americans disapproved of the administration’s handling of the conflict. Only 33% of respondents expressed approval. Economic concerns are also fueling this public frustration.
Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, recently analyzed the financial impact of the war. He estimates that the average American household is nearly $2,000 worse off due to the war. “Nearly $2,000. By my calculation, that is what the Iran war has cost the average American household since the war began nearly eight months ago. Nationwide, that adds up to $265 billion,” Zandi said.
These costs differ from the direct federal spending reported to Congress by the Secretary. Despite the pushback, the Pentagon is moving forward with its tech goals. Project Agincourt is a central part of this strategy. It seeks to establish a new four-star Autonomous Warfare Command. This new command would control dedicated personnel and budgets. The target date for its launch is October 1, 2027.
The Army is also creating its own Futures and Autonomous Systems Command. A directive from October 1 mandates a centralized acquisition office for these technologies. The military is also focusing on autonomous systems for artillery and combat vehicles. The goal is to adapt new technology for the battlefield much faster than before. Hegseth continues to champion this rapid integration despite the vocal opposition he faces at public forums.
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