Hegseth faces off with 'Free DC' protesters at National Guard event

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: The Hill

Hegseth faces off with ‘Free DC’ protesters at National Guard event

by Filip Timotija 07/02/26 11:25 AM ET

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth slammed protesters and praised the National Guard’s work Thursday morning during a D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force event in Washington.

Hegseth, along with other top members of the Trump administration, including White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, were heckled by “Free DC” protesters while they spoke at Meridian Hill Park. ... The demonstrators blew whistles and horns and screamed into microphones as administration officials touted the work of the National Guard and law enforcement in Washington, praising them for helping lower crime and making the city safer. One protester’s sign said “arrest Hegseth.”

“Thank you for being here, for backing us up along the way. To the entire team, to the soldiers here, thank you for everything you’re doing. Thank you for waiting out here in the sun,” Hegseth said to the about 150 guardsmen before laying into about three dozen protesters.

“This background noise this morning is perfect; it’s the sound of ingrates, of ingratitude, of people who are so blinded by ideology they can’t see law and order and common sense in front of them” the defense secretary said. ... “There’s nothing ideological about this group. There’s nothing political about this exercise. Law and order is something all Americans deserve, Black, white, rich, poor, man or woman from DC or far-flung places in this country,” the Pentagon chief said during his nearly five-minute speech.

{snip}

Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5951382-pete-hegsth-dc-safe-national-guard-protesters/amp/

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Hat tip to the crazy kids at PopVille for getting this out.

******
https://www.popville.com/2026/07/more-fences-down-glorious-grass-at-meridian-hill-malcolm-x-park/#disqus_thread

Columbia Heights
More Fences Down – Glorious Grass at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park!! Heads Up Tho, “Hegseth is having an event”

By Prince Of Petworth
Published July 2, 2026 at 8:25AM



Thanks to all who emailed/messaged us yesterday afternoon and this morning: “THE FENCING IS GONE YAY!”



“Aaaaand I just tried to walk back through and it’s closed and there’s an event with tons of troops. The scoop from a free dc person is that hegseth is having an event. Upper lawn area is still open to walk through as of now, just the fountains closed for the event.”



“I noticed the fencing on the top grass panels at Malcom X park were down today. Crews have been mowing too.”




“Turf fence down at Malcolm X”



“The lawn is mowed and the fence is down. Let’s see how long this lasts!”




#Meridian Hill/Malcolm X Park
#PSA
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[Qutzupalotl]

1. "I spent your healthcare subsidies on a war we started

and didn’t need. YOU’RE WELCOME.”

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Pete Hegseth: "This background noise is perfect. It's the sound of ingrates, of ingratitude, of people who ..."

Reposted by Free DC
https://bsky.app/profile/freedcproject.bsky.social

Aaron Rupar
‪@atrupar.com‬

Pete Hegseth: "This background noise is perfect. It's the sound of ingrates, of ingratitude, of people who are so blinded by ideology they can't see law and order and common sense in front of them."



9:51 AM · Jul 2, 2026

Pete Hegseth: "This background noise is perfect. It's the sound of ingrates, of ingratitude, of people who are so blinded by ideology they can't see law and order and common sense in front of them."

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-07-02T13:51:52.909Z

[Ray Bruns]

3. Hey Pete, that's the sound of the people exercising their first amendment rights.

You know, that thing those soldiers are sworn to protect and defend.