AUSA 2026: raucous scenes as protesters disrupt keynote panel

A coordinated series of protests disrupted a keynote panel discussion at AUSA 2026 in Washington, D.C. The demonstrations targeted Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, resulting in raucous scenes during the event. Protesters derailed the panel on Wednesday by heckling Hegseth, calling him a coward, a Nazi, and a war criminal. These interruptions occurred during the high-profile session, creating significant disorder as the activists voiced their strong opposition to the Defense Secretary during the public forum.