Before he began to outline his proposals for the detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during a major counterterrorism speech Thursday at National Defense University, President Barack Obama was interrupted by a protestor, identified as Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin, who shouted several criticisms before being escorted out.
“You are commander-in-chief. You can close Guantanamo today,” Benjamin shouted, according to a White House pool report.
Obama repeatedly implored her to let him finish.
“You should let me finish my sentence,” Obama said.
He later said he’s “willing to cut the young lady who interrupted me some slack” because he was addressing issues that are “worth being passionate about.” But minutes later, Benjamin interrupted the speech again, as the President stood at the podium and listened.