Protesters interrupted a Senate hearing on May 12, 2026, as Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine testified on defense budget matters related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Members of the anti-war group Code Pink shouted at Caine before he began his prepared remarks. They called out opposition to further U.S. military involvement in Iran and raised concerns about civilian deaths.

Protest disrupts defense hearing

“The American people don’t want more war!” the protesters yelled. “We don’t want our tax dollars spent to kill babies!”

The incident took place during a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing focused on President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget request for the Department of Defense. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also appeared at the hearing.

Photographs from the event showed a protester standing behind Hegseth with hands painted red. Reuters photographer Jonathan Ernst captured the scene on Capitol Hill.

Caine faced the protesters directly as the activists continued their demonstration. Security removed the protesters from the room, according to accounts from those present.

Allegations of school strike in Iran

The protest occurred against the backdrop of U.S. military action in Iran under Operation Epic Fury. The operation targeted Iranian military and defense sites.

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Iranian officials and some human rights groups claim a U.S. airstrike hit an educational facility during the campaign. They say the strike caused civilian casualties and may have violated international humanitarian law.

U.S. military officials stated that all strikes were precision operations aimed only at military targets. They have not confirmed any strike on a school and described reports of civilian harm as unverified or the result of Iranian misinformation.

Independent verification of the specific strike remains limited. Humanitarian organizations have called for a full review of civilian impacts from the operation.

The Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury earlier in 2026 after months of heightened tensions with Iran. The campaign followed a series of Iranian proxy attacks on U.S. interests and allies in the region.

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Why this matters

This confrontation points to growing domestic divisions over U.S. policy toward Iran under President Trump. Anti-war groups have increased their activity as the conflict continues and reports of civilian casualties surface.

The protest shows a broader public debate about the costs of military action abroad. Defense spending and war powers remain central issues in Congress as lawmakers review the 2027 budget.

At the same time, the Pentagon continues to defend its operations as necessary to protect U.S. national security and counter Iranian threats. Officials say the strikes degraded Iran’s military capabilities and reduced risks to American forces and regional partners.