Ben Cohen, co-founder of the famously progressive Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand, found himself in hot water on Wednesday after being arrested during a Senate hearing. The ruckus stemmed from a pro-Gaza protest that Cohen led while Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying. This incident raises questions about the intersection of activism and legislative processes.
According to NBC News, Cohen’s outburst accused Congress of “killing poor kids in Gaza,” a claim he bizarrely tied to Medicaid funding. Such grandstanding may have made for a dramatic scene, but it also illustrates the challenges of maintaining decorum in political discourse.
Chaos ensued as Capitol Police intervened to remove Cohen and six other demonstrators, whose antics derailed the proceedings. One particularly colorful moment came when a protester declared, “RFK kills people with AIDS,” setting the stage for Cohen’s subsequent tirade against U.S. policies regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who presided over the hearing, promptly ordered the removal of the disruptive individuals. “Members of the audience are reminded disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business,” he stated, as Cohen was escorted out by law enforcement.
WATCH:
Very aggressive protesters at Bobby’s hearing. I don’t like this one bit. Besides President Trump, he has the biggest target on his back. pic.twitter.com/L0YmJIlZaU
— Link Lauren (@itslinklauren) May 14, 2025
As he was being led away in handcuffs, Cohen could be heard shouting, “Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid in the US.” His emotional appeal underscores the growing frustration among activists regarding U.S. foreign policy and domestic welfare funding.
“They need to let food into Gaza. They need to let food to starving kids. Congress is paying to bomb poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US,” Cohen continued, articulating a sentiment that resonates with many who feel that humanitarian needs are being overshadowed by military expenditures.
WATCH:
Ben from Ben & Jerry’s confronts RFK Jr. and Congress:
“YOU’RE KILLING POOR KIDS IN GAZA
AND PAYING FOR IT BY CUTTING MEDICAID
FOR KIDS HERE.”
While Congress writes checks for bombs, children are starving. pic.twitter.com/C6is7zQ8UZ— CODEPINK (@codepink) May 14, 2025
Following his release from custody, Cohen took to X to reiterate his stance, stating, “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.” His remarks reflect a growing trend of individuals leveraging their platforms to challenge systemic issues, albeit through controversial methods.
WATCH:
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. pic.twitter.com/uOf7xrzzWM
— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 14, 2025
