Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested on May 14, 2025, after interrupting Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s testimony before the Senate Health Committee. Cohen’s protest focused on U.S. military aid to Israel and proposed Medicaid cuts.
During Kennedy’s opening statement, Cohen stood and shouted, “Congress sent the bombs that kill children in Gaza and pays it with cuts to Medicaid.” Capitol Police arrested Cohen for obstruction; six other protesters were also detained, with some facing additional charges.
Cohen, 74, is known for his activism on various issues, including opposition to U.S. military support for Israel. In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling products in Israeli-occupied territories, a move that drew criticism.
The protest occurred during Kennedy’s defense of HHS budget reforms, including consolidating overlapping offices and addressing Medicaid fraud. Kennedy emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to improve public health.
