Republican Senator Tim Shea was embroiled in a confrontation during a U.S. Senate hearing on the war with Iran. Video of the incident showed the senator helping police forcefully remove an anti-war protester who disrupted proceedings with his apparent anti-Israel and anti-war stance.The incident occurred during a hearing in Washington on Wednesday. One protester stood up and began chanting against U.S. military action related to the conflict with Iran. He repeatedly shouted not to drag Americans into the war, shouting: “No one wants to fight for Israel!”Capitol Police took away the man, later identified as Brian McGinnis. McGinnis is a Marine Corps veteran and the Green Party candidate running for a North Carolina Senate seat.As police struggled to escort him from the room, Sheehy stepped in to assist. Viral video shows the senator grabbing the protester’s legs while police tried to pull him away from the doorway he was holding on to.During the struggle, McGinnis’ hand got caught in the door frame and multiple men pulled him out of the room. Witnesses in the room reportedly shouted in panic. McGinnis later said his arm was broken during the altercation.Capitol Police said protesters resisted officers and created a dangerous situation. Three police officers and McInnes were treated for injuries following the scuffle. Authorities later arrested him and charged him with multiple crimes, including assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and unlawful demonstration.After the incident, Sheehy defended his actions, saying he intervened to help police deal with the disruption. He said in a statement on social media that police were trying to disperse “an unhinged protester” who was fighting back, adding that he decided to help “de-escalate the situation.”The confrontation went viral on social media, prompting strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.Shea, a former Navy SEAL who served in Afghanistan, is one of the new members of the Senate. He was elected as a Montana representative after winning the 2024 election and currently serves as a member of the Armed Services Committee that oversees U.S. military policy.
