Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Gets Arrested During RFK Jr. Senate Protest [WATCH]

Ben Cohen, co-founder of the Vermont-based ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested Wednesday afternoon after disrupting a U.S. Senate hearing featuring Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The incident occurred during a session held by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), chaired by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

As Fox News reported, the U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that Cohen was one of seven individuals arrested during the protest. While Cohen was charged with obstruction, Capitol Police stated that others were arrested for more serious offenses, including resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

Authorities did not immediately release the exact number of individuals facing those additional charges.

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The protest began as Secretary Kennedy was delivering his opening statement. Protesters repeatedly shouted, “RFK kills people with hate!” disrupting the hearing. Video footage posted by The Daily Caller on X showed Cohen being forcibly removed from the hearing room by Capitol Police.

As officers escorted multiple individuals from the room, Sen. Cassidy halted the proceedings and instructed law enforcement to clear the space.

“Members of the audience are reminded disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business. Capitol Police are asked to remove the individuals from the hearing room,” Cassidy said.

Man who has been poisoning Americans with sugar for decades yells at RFK Jr for focusing on sugar

That’s Ben from Ben and Jerry’s ice cream pic.twitter.com/OGt5OpGG25

— Warren Redlich – Chasing Dreams (@WR4NYGov) May 15, 2025

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Following the removal of the protestors, Cassidy commented, “That was a made-for-C-SPAN moment,” before resuming the hearing.

Cohen is no stranger to Capitol Hill protests. In 2023, he was arrested outside the Department of Justice while protesting the U.S. government’s treatment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. At the time, he and others blocked the building’s entrance.

Ben & Jerry’s has maintained a longstanding reputation for supporting progressive causes. Though Unilever acquired the company in 2000, the ice cream maker retained an independent board of directors that continues to engage in political advocacy.

In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s made headlines for halting sales of its products in Israeli communities located in the West Bank. The company described the area as “Occupied Palestinian Territory,” prompting backlash from Israeli and American officials.

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Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen was just dragged out of RFK Jr.’s HHS budget hearing—protesting from the front row before being removed by security.pic.twitter.com/x0rNalaeuN

— Tim Sharp (@realtimsharp) May 14, 2025

Cohen’s activism, combined with the company’s outspoken political stance, has led to frequent criticism from conservative leaders and organizations, especially in response to their vocal opposition to former President Donald Trump.

Secretary Kennedy did not publicly respond to the protest during the hearing.

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