On Wednesday night, June 12, 2025, the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity in Washington, D.C., was disrupted when climate change protesters stormed the field at Nationals Park. The event, which aims to raise money for local charities, features members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate competing in a friendly baseball game. However, the protest temporarily halted the game, as activists interrupted play to voice their concerns about climate change and fossil fuel subsidies..
The group behind the disruption, Climate Defiance, claimed responsibility for the protest, posting on social media about their actions. The protesters, holding signs with messages like “Stop playing games with our future” and wearing shirts reading “End Fossil Fuels,” stormed the field to demand action on climate change. Their tactics were aimed at drawing attention to what they described as the harmful subsidies Congress provides to the fossil fuel industry, including those linked to the event’s sponsor, Chevron.
The protesters proudly declared their success in halting the game, tweeting that they had “frozen” the play by taking the field. They argued that it was Congress, not the demonstrators, who should face consequences for their role in promoting fossil fuels. Their statements highlighted their belief that the ongoing support for the fossil fuel industry is unconscionable and in direct conflict with efforts to combat climate change.
U.S. Capitol Police quickly responded to the disruption, removing the protesters from the field and allowing the game to resume. The police confirmed that eight individuals were arrested, each facing federal charges related to interference with a member of the U.S. Capitol Police. The Capitol Police commended their officers for swiftly ensuring the safety of all involved and protecting the integrity of the event.
In addition to the climate change protest, a separate small group of anti-Israel demonstrators was present in the crowd. These protesters unfurled a “Free Palestine” banner and displayed a Palestinian flag in the right field section. Their actions, however, were met with boos from other attendees. The Congressional Baseball Game, a longstanding annual tradition since 1909, has previously been marked by controversy, including the 2017 shooting incident that targeted Republican lawmakers during a practice session.
