During a Monday evening speaking engagement at the City University of New York’s Graduate Center, Rep. Nancy Pelosi was repeatedly interrupted by hecklers while in conversation with economist Paul Krugman. The disruptions came from individuals who strongly criticized Pelosi’s past foreign policy positions, using charged language and personal insults during the event.
The hecklers interrupted the discussion multiple times, accusing Pelosi of being complicit in military interventions and alleging corruption. Their comments focused primarily on her support for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, as well as recent global energy issues. One individual labeled her a “war criminal” and voiced outrage over her stance on conflicts abroad.
In a particularly intense moment, one protester shouted that Pelosi belonged “in the depths of hell” for her role in authorizing the Iraq War, questioning why she had not publicly acknowledged the absence of weapons of mass destruction. He went on to blame her for supporting military action in Afghanistan and for contributing to current hardships in regions like Germany, referencing the Nord Stream pipeline incident.
Despite the interruptions, the event continued, though the repeated outbursts drew attention both for their confrontational tone and the broader criticisms aimed at Pelosi’s long tenure in U.S. politics. The incident reflects the continuing tensions and public scrutiny surrounding the legacy of American foreign policy decisions made in the early 2000s.
