A tense scene unfolded during a congressional hearing in Washington on Wednesday when Capitol Police forcibly removed a protester who interrupted proceedings, creating a brief confrontation inside the hearing room.
The individual, identified as Brian McGinnis, described himself as a Marine veteran and a Green Party political candidate. Video footage shared online showed several Capitol Police officers attempting to escort him out after he disrupted the session. During the incident, McGinnis loudly shouted, “No one wants to fight for Israel,” while resisting removal.
According to video clips circulating on social media, three officers struggled to move McGinnis as he held onto a door inside the chamber. Senator Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana and a member of the subcommittee holding the hearing, was seen assisting law enforcement officers during the removal. At one point, Sheehy helped lift McGinnis’ leg as officers worked to escort him outside.
As the situation continued, McGinnis claimed his hand became stuck in the door while officers attempted to pull him away. One officer was later seen helping him free his hand as tensions began to ease. After the protester was successfully removed, Sheehy returned to his seat and the hearing resumed.
Following the incident, Senator Sheehy addressed the confrontation in a public statement, describing McGinnis as an “unhinged protester” who had come to the Capitol seeking confrontation. McGinnis has not issued a direct response to the removal but had earlier posted a video from Capitol Hill explaining that he wanted to question lawmakers about potential military involvement overseas.
McGinnis is currently running as a Green Party candidate in North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race. In recent days, he has shared several online videos criticizing U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran. In one message, he expressed concern about American foreign policy and questioned the possibility of sending U.S. troops into conflict.
The disruption comes amid rising international tensions after the United States and Israel launched strikes targeting Iranian military assets over the weekend. The expanding conflict across parts of the Persian Gulf has drawn global attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump stating that the confrontation could continue for weeks if necessary.
Despite the brief chaos, officials confirmed that the congressional hearing proceeded without further interruptions after the protester’s removal. The incident highlights growing public tensions surrounding foreign policy debates as lawmakers continue discussions on national security and international conflicts.