A Marine Corps veteran protesting US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran had his arm broken during a confrontation with Republican Senator Tim Sheehy on Capitol Hill. The incident occurred on Wednesday as Brian McGinnis, a former Marine in dress uniform, disrupted a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
McGinnis shouted, “No one wants to fight for Israel,” as officers attempted to remove him from the chamber. His arm became wedged in a door frame during the struggle. Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, joined the scuffle, and an audible snap was heard. A witness repeatedly cried out, “A sitting US senator just broke the hand of a Marine.”
Sheehy later defended his actions on social media, stating he helped Capitol Police “de-escalate the situation.” He described McGinnis as “unhinged” and said the protester “came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation.” Capitol Police blamed McGinnis for the injury, claiming he “got his own arm stuck in a door to resist our officers.”
McGinnis was arrested and faces three counts each of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and unlawful demonstration. He and the officers were treated for injuries. The activist’s family announced he would step back from public view to focus on recovery.
