Two protesters were forcibly removed from the red carpet at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening after demanding the arrest of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The demonstrators, one of whom wore a mask resembling Hegseth and was dressed in handcuffs, accused the defense chief of war crimes. They appeared to be associated with Code Pink, an anti-war advocacy group.
Disruption at the Event
The incident unfolded at the Washington Hilton, where the annual dinner brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities. The two activists stepped in front of photographers, causing a brief commotion before being escorted away by security personnel. Their removal was swift but drew attention from attendees and media.
Outside Protests
Beyond the red carpet, dozens of additional protesters gathered outside the venue. They held signs condemning the Iran war and U.S. military operations in the Middle East. One notable display featured a demonstrator wearing a mask of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was depicted leading another individual masked as President Donald Trump. The scene underscored ongoing tensions over U.S. foreign policy.
The White House Correspondents' Dinner, traditionally a lighthearted event, has occasionally been a stage for political statements. This year's disruption highlighted the continued activism against the current administration's defense and foreign policies. The group Code Pink has a history of staging similar protests at high-profile events to draw attention to anti-war causes.
