Kerry mocks protester during ISIS hearing

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 shouted during Kerry’s testimony: “The American people are speaking out, Secretary Kerry. We’re tired of the endless war.”

{mosads}The protester went on to shout that war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria was “creating more terrorism, killing more innocent people.” 

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 the pilot who was fighting for freedom, who was 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 ISIS, and was referring to two American journalists who have been beheaded by the terrorist group, as well as a Jordanian pilot burned alive. 

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.

— Updated 1:51 p.m.