Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, was arrested Wednesday on Capitol Hill during a Senate hearing featuring Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Capitol Police confirmed that Cohen was one of seven individuals arrested after interrupting the hearing. Cohen was charged with obstruction. Others faced more serious accusations, including resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.
It’s unclear how many people received those higher-level charges. The protest began as Kennedy was giving his opening remarks. “RFK kills people with hate!” one protester yelled.
The chant quickly spread. “RFK kills people with hate!” echoed throughout the room before Capitol Police began removing individuals. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., who chairs the HELP Committee, paused the hearing as the chaos unfolded.
Video posted by The Daily Caller shows Cohen being pulled from the hearing room by police. Cassidy reminded the room, “Disruptions will not be permitted while the committee conducts its business.”
As Cohen was being dragged out, Cassidy added, “Capitol Police are asked to remove the individuals from the hearing room.” Once calm returned, he joked, “That was a made-for-C-SPAN moment.”
This isn’t Cohen’s first protest arrest. In 2023, he was detained outside the DOJ building while protesting Julian Assange’s detainment. Ben & Jerry’s and its founders have long drawn conservative criticism for backing progressive causes and opposing Donald Trump.