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The atmosphere worsened as protesters disrupted the hearing, claiming Hegseth was a "religious extremist" and shouting chaotic slogans about foreign policy. These protests further illustrated the Democrats' disorganization, as these activists were met with little accountability from a party that has appeared to embrace disruptive actions. This lack of consistency in response raised questions about the Democratic Party's standards for behavior and protest—leading to criticisms about their inability to effectively manage dissent and maintain decorum.