http://thehill.com/policy/defense/235314-kerry-mocks-protester-during-isis-hearingBy Kristina Wong - 03/11/15 10:11 AM EDT
Secretary of State John Kerry mocked an anti-war protester, after she interrupted him at a hearing Wednesday.
The protester from anti-war group Code Pink stood up and repeatedly shouted during Kerry's testimony: "The United States is killing innocent civilians with drones!"
Kerry, who famously protested the Vietnam War after serving in the conflict shot back: "Killing more innocent people. I wonder how our journalists, who were beheaded, and a pilot who was fighting for freedom, burned alive, what they would have to say to their efforts to protect innocent people."
The secretary of State was testifying about the administration's request for a new authorization of military force against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) responded, "We live in a country where people have the opportunity to express themselves in Democratic ways."
"We would hope that you would allow this hearing to proceed in an orderly way and respect other citizens' rights to be here and to observe what is happening in a civil manner," he added. "I don't think you're helping your cause at all. I think you're hurting your cause."
A second protestor interrupted Kerry's testimony a few minutes later.
Code Pink, whose members are known for wearing bright pink and interrupting hearings with outbursts during testimony, gained notoriety earlier this year when they interrupted a hearing chaired by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
"Get out of here, you low-life scum!" McCain said.
