A contentious Senate hearing took an unexpected turn when Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony was interrupted by demonstrators.

According to Fox News, multiple protesters disrupted Kennedy's testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, chanting "RFK kills people with hate" during his opening statement about the HHS budget for fiscal year 2026.

The disruption occurred moments after Kennedy began discussing his department's goals, forcing Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy to temporarily pause the proceedings.

Capitol Police swiftly responded to the situation, removing seven protesters from the hearing room, including Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen, who faces obstruction charges.

High Profile Arrest During Senate Committee Hearing

Ben Cohen's involvement in the protest marked a significant escalation in the public opposition to Kennedy's leadership at HHS.

Several other protesters faced more serious charges, including resisting arrest and assaulting police officers, though specific details about individual charges were not immediately available.

The demonstration highlighted growing tensions surrounding Kennedy's role as HHS Secretary under President Trump's administration. Committee Chairman Cassidy attempted to maintain order throughout the disruption, formally requesting Capitol Police intervention to restore decorum to the proceedings.

The timing of the protest proved particularly disruptive as Kennedy was preparing to outline his department's strategic vision and budget priorities. Before the interruption, he had just begun addressing the committee about his team's primary objectives.

Kennedy Administration Healthcare Priorities Unveiled

During his truncated opening statement, Kennedy emphasized three main priorities for his department.

As stated by the HHS Secretary:

When my team and I took the helm at HHS we set out with clear goals. First, we aim to make America healthy again with a special focus on the chronic disease epidemic. Second, we committed to delivering more efficient, responsive, and effective service to over 100 million Americans who rely on Medicare, Medicaid and other programs. Third, we focus on achieving these goals by cutting costs for taxpayers and intend to do more – a lot more – with less.

The hearing's purpose centered on examining how the HHS budget for fiscal year 2026 aligns with President Trump's agenda. Kennedy's testimony aimed to provide detailed insights into his department's financial planning and policy implementation strategies.

Legislative Oversight Meeting Faces Security Challenges

Chairman Cassidy's handling of the situation demonstrated the delicate balance between maintaining public access to government proceedings and ensuring orderly conduct.

His response to the disruption included a touch of humor when he remarked, "That was a made-for-C-SPAN moment," after police restored order.

The security breach raised questions about screening procedures for attendees at high-profile congressional hearings. Capitol Police's swift response highlighted the ongoing challenges of maintaining security while preserving the public nature of legislative proceedings.

These events underscore the increasing frequency of protests during congressional hearings, particularly those involving controversial political figures or contentious policy issues.

Senate Hearing Outcome and Legal Consequences

The Senate HELP Committee hearing with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. resumed after law enforcement removed the protesters, allowing the discussion of the HHS budget to continue. The incident resulted in multiple arrests and varying charges for the participants involved in the disruption.

United States Capitol Police confirmed that seven individuals now face legal consequences for their actions during the hearing.

While Cohen's charges were specifically identified as obstruction, the nature and severity of charges for the other protesters remain under investigation, with some potentially facing more serious allegations related to resisting arrest and assault on law enforcement officers.