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

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........

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