A tense scene unfolded during a United States Senate Armed Services Committee hearing when Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana physically intervened while Capitol Police were removing an anti-war protester. The incident, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, resulted in the protester sustaining a broken hand.

The protester was identified as Brian McGuinness, a former US Marine sergeant who was demonstrating against American military action in Iran.

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Protest disrupts Senate committee hearing

According to reports, McGuinness interrupted the hearing while expressing opposition to US military involvement in Iran. At the time of the protest, he was reportedly dressed in his military uniform.

Capitol Police moved to remove him from the hearing room. During the process, McGuinness held onto a doorway in the corridor while officers attempted to escort him out. Senator Sheehy stepped in to assist officers in removing the protester.

Video from the scene shows McGuinness shouting as he is pulled away from the doorway. Witnesses inside the room reacted in alarm as the struggle unfolded.

"His hand, his hand! Oh! His hand! Oh, my God," one witness cries out.

Police officers can also be heard instructing the protester to release his grip.

"Sir. Let go of your hand. Let go of the door. Let go."

During the commotion, voices in the room can be heard saying, "Senator Sheehy broke the arm of a US Marine."

Protester shouts during removal

As he was being dragged from the hearing room, McGuinness shouted remarks referencing the ongoing military tensions in the region.

"No one wants to fight for Israel."

According to available information, McGuinness served in the US Marine Corps between 2000 and 2004.

Senator Sheehy responds

Following the incident, Senator Sheehy addressed the situation on the social media platform X.

"Capitol Police were attempting to remove an unhinged protestor from the Armed Services hearing. He was fighting back. I decided to help out and de-escalate the situation," Sheehy wrote.

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He added, "This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one. I hope he gets the help he needs without causing further violence."

The senator also shared the video of the incident online, identifying McGuinness as the individual involved.

Arrest and charges

The US Capitol Police later confirmed that McGuinness was arrested following the disruption.

Authorities said he now faces six charges, including three counts of assaulting a police officer and three counts of resisting arrest and conducting an unlawful demonstration.