Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin is forced to STOP speaking after relentless bickering from pro-Hamas protesters as he pledges ‘ironclad’ military support to Israel after Iran’s ‘reckless attack’ and defends $850 BILLION 2025 budget

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin was interrupted several times by pro-Hamas protesters as he pleaded with lawmakers for billions to combat growing threats from Iran and other adversaries.

Department of Defense Sec. Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown were at the Capitol to make their case before the House Appropriations Committee on their proposed $850 billion budget for fiscal year 2025.

The secretary pledged “iron-strong” military support to Israel, days after Iran launched a “reckless onslaught” of more than 300 missiles and drone strikes on the country.

“The most important thing we can do now is pass the additional proposal,” Austin said of Chairman Johnson’s plan to greenlight additional military spending that would provide air defense and ammunition for Israel, in addition to money for Ukraine and U.S. partners in the U.S. the Indo-Pacific.

Shortly after Austin’s pro-Israel statement, two protesters interrupted him and forced him to stop speaking. They erupted in protest, claiming that the US and military leaders were complicit in the genocide in Gaza.

Several protesters were removed from the Capitol by police after repeatedly shouting at top military leaders

Many of the protesters shouted at Austin, calling him by name and condemning his role in supporting Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas.

The activists, who were associated with Code Pink — a group that has reported ties to the Chinese Communist Party — were quickly removed by Capitol Police.

After the pair were removed, more than a dozen other protesters, who sat behind Austin and Brown, raised their pink-painted hands in an act of defiance while others filmed the distraction.

Then, after another five minutes, the protesters demonstrated a new tactic.

Nearly all of the remaining protesters began coughing repeatedly while clearing their throats to evade warnings from Capitol Police.

Minutes after the fake cough show, the allegedly CCP-affiliated protesters stood up and all began shouting in unison against the military leaders.

“Shame on you, shame on you,” they shouted.

“Secretary Austin, you are complicit in genocide,” another activist shouted.

“You say genocide is good for American jobs. Shame on you,” someone shouted.

The entire horde of pink-clad Hamas supporters, many emerging white and black keffiyehs, were then escorted out of the committee room.

Yet their shrill cries could still be heard from the interrogation room for a few minutes.

Many of the protesters were older white women, while some others appeared to be in their 30s or 40s.

However, the heated protest did not deter Austin from embarking on the mission.

Members of the Iranian Armed Forces march during the National Army Day parade ceremony in Tehran, Iran, days after firing missiles directly at Israel

“We will remain ready to protect our forces in the region and support Israel’s defense against attacks from Iran or its allies,” the Pentagon chief testified.

“And our commitment to Israel’s security is rock-solid,” he said, in an apparent rebuke to the many demonstrators.

But the protests are not new for military leaders.

Earlier this month, Code Pink protesters similarly shouted at Austin and Brown during a Senate hearing.

After the protesters were removed, the hearing continued as usual, with lawmakers asking questions about the current capabilities and budget of the U.S. military in a changing global environment.

Leaders have also been pressured for U.S. support for Ukraine, while foreign aid to the embattled country has stalled in Congress despite pleas from the White House and the Ukrainian president for an immediate cash injection.

“China, Iran and others are watching what’s happening in Ukraine,” Austin said.

“If the United States proves to be an unreliable partner, it will not only undermine the confidence of our European allies in NATO… (the) People’s Republic of China and Iran will do the kinds of things they would want to do anyway.”