Trump hosts Xi as protests over Tibet and Xinjiang erupt outside White House

As President Donald Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House, protesters gathered nearby to condemn China's actions in Xinjiang and Tibet, Hong Kong's political restrictions, and treatment of minorities. The demonstrations coincided with a state dinner on September 24, 2026. Republican lawmakers, including Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, joined protesters in criticizing Xi, calling him a "brutal, unelected, and oppressive dictator." The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party accused China of genocide in Xinjiang, dismantling democracy in Hong Kong, forced labor, and religious persecution during Xi's tenure. Protesters chanted slogans like "Xi Jinping has got to go" and waved flags reading "Free Tibet" and "Keep Taiwan Free." Participants included Tibetan, Chinese, and Christian activists sharing personal stories of family suffering and calling for greater freedoms in China.