A dramatic scene unfolded on Capitol Hill Wednesday afternoon when a protester disrupted a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, forcing U.S. Capitol Police to intervene and briefly halt the proceedings.
The incident quickly escalated when the individual resisted officers, prompting Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) to step in and assist law enforcement as they attempted to remove the protester from the room.
Video shared online by a CBS News reporter captured the moment as officers struggled with the protester while Sheehy helped push the man out of the hearing chamber inside the Hart Senate Office Building.
Senator Steps In During Heated Disruption
The protester was identified as Brian McGinnis, a former Marine sergeant who is currently running as a Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
According to witnesses inside the room, the disruption began when McGinnis shouted anti-war slogans during the hearing, interrupting lawmakers and witnesses.
At one point, he could be heard yelling:
“No one wants to fight for Israel.”
Capitol Police quickly moved in to remove him, but the situation became tense as McGinnis physically resisted officers attempting to escort him out.
Senator Sheehy later explained why he chose to help.
“Capitol Police were trying to remove a disruptive protester from the Armed Services hearing, but he began resisting,” Sheehy wrote on the social platform X. “I stepped in to assist and help calm the situation.”
The Montana Republican also criticized the protester’s actions.
“This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one,” Sheehy added. “I hope he gets the help he needs without causing further violence.”
Officers Injured During Capitol Confrontation
Authorities confirmed the situation turned physical as the protester resisted arrest.
In an official statement, U.S. Capitol Police said the disruption created a dangerous environment for everyone inside the hearing room.
“This afternoon, a disruptive individual who started an unauthorized protest during a hearing created a dangerous situation by physically resisting and struggling with officers who were trying to escort him out of the room,” a spokesperson said.
The disturbance occurred shortly before 3:00 p.m. during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
During the struggle:
- Three Capitol Police officers were injured
- DC Fire and EMS responded to treat the officers
- The suspect also received medical treatment
Officials said McGinnis attempted to resist removal by wedging his arm into a door while trying to force his way back into the hearing room.
Multiple Charges Filed Against Protester
Following the incident, authorities confirmed that McGinnis now faces several criminal charges.
According to Capitol Police, he has been charged with:
- Three counts of assaulting a police officer
- Three counts related to resisting arrest
Law enforcement officials emphasized that while the First Amendment protects peaceful demonstrations, protests are strictly prohibited inside congressional buildings.
“Protests are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings,” the department said in its statement. “There are many designated locations outside on Capitol Grounds where demonstrations are permitted.”
Rising Tensions On Capitol Hill
The dramatic confrontation briefly interrupted the Armed Services Committee hearing and underscored the growing tensions surrounding political protests in Washington.
Security inside the Capitol complex remains tight, particularly after repeated disruptions at congressional hearings in recent years.
While demonstrations remain a regular part of political life in the nation’s capital, Capitol Police continue to enforce strict rules designed to protect lawmakers, staff, and the public during official proceedings.
Wednesday’s incident serves as a reminder that disruptive protests inside government buildings can quickly turn dangerous, especially when individuals resist law enforcement.