Ben Cohen, the co-founder of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, made headlines recently—but not for his famous flavors.
Instead, he was forcibly removed from a Senate hearing after causing a disruption during Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s testimony.
Cohen was protesting the U.S. government’s ongoing support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict.
Protest Erupts as RFK Jr. Begins Testifying
As RFK Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, started to respond to a question, the normally serious Senate floor suddenly erupted in chaos.
Cohen’s loud voice rang out, shouting, “Congress sent the bombs that kill children in Gaza and pays it with cuts to Medicaid.”
His passionate protest drew immediate attention—and swift action from Capitol Police.
Other demonstrators joined in, yelling accusations at RFK Jr., and holding up provocative signs.
One sign declared, “RFK kills people with AIDS worldwide. RFK lies, people with AIDS Die,” referencing controversial comments RFK Jr. made questioning the scientific consensus about HIV and AIDS.
Police Step In to Remove Protesters
The police wasted no time, tearing down signs and escorting Cohen and several others out of the hearing room.
Senator Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, paused the hearing briefly and urged officers to clear the space of disruptions.
As Cohen was led away in handcuffs, he continued shouting slogans like, “Hands off Medicaid! Congress kills!” Video footage circulated widely on social media showing Cohen handcuffed and being walked down the hallway.
When asked why he was being arrested, Cohen responded, “Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US.”
He ended with a plea for Congress to “let food into Gaza” and “let food to starving kids.”
Ben Cohen Doubles Down on His Message on Social Media
After being removed, Cohen took to his official social media account (X) to post the video of his arrest and reaffirm his stance.
He wrote, “I told Congress they’re killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they’re paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities’ response.”
Rally for Palestinian Rights Earlier That Day
Cohen’s protest in the Senate hearing wasn’t an isolated event.
Earlier that same day, he spoke at a rally advocating for Palestinian rights alongside Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib.
At the rally, Cohen condemned what he called Israel’s “starvation” tactics against Palestinians, accusing the U.S. of complicity through continued military aid.
Tlaib, who has publicly shown support for Cohen’s company by buying Ben & Jerry’s despite being lactose intolerant, spoke after Cohen.
The event was marked by passionate calls for humanitarian aid to Gaza, with Cohen emphasizing the need for food, water, and medicine to reach those suffering.
Ben Cohen’s Longstanding Activism and Ben & Jerry’s Stance
Ben Cohen has long been known for using his platform to push progressive causes, and Ben & Jerry’s has a history of activism.
Notably, the company stopped selling its products in Israel in 2021 in protest of the country’s policies regarding Gaza.
His recent actions come amid heightened tensions in Washington, where a Republican spending bill has proposed significant cuts to Medicaid while maintaining robust financial and military support for Israel.
The U.S. Department of State announced earlier in April that it would continue extensive security cooperation with Israel, with Foreign Military Sales totaling nearly $40 billion.
Meanwhile, RFK Jr. Faces Scrutiny in Senate Hearing
While Cohen was making his statement outside the hearing room, RFK Jr. faced tough questioning from Senators about his performance in the Health and Human Services Department under the Trump administration.
Democratic Senator Christopher Murphy criticized RFK Jr. for undermining the measles vaccine, and RFK Jr. defended his department’s staffing cuts, insisting the decisions were his own and not influenced by others, including Elon Musk.