Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Ben Cohen Arrested During Senate Protest Against RFK Jr. -

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15 May, Washington D.C

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen was arrested in Washington, D.C. during a Senate hearing protest against RFK Jr.

On May 14, 2025, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, was arrested while protesting a Senate hearing when Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was testifying.

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Cohen had a sign that said “RFK kills people with hate” and was arrested for unlawful demonstration activities, later being released.

Cohen’s display of protest was a response to Kennedy’s explanation of the deep budget reduction to the Department of Health and Human Services, including an $18 billion reduction in the National Institutes of Health and a $3.6 billion reduction in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

AIDS activists and unions decried the reduction as one that would hamper public health initiatives.

This event is not Cohen’s first act of activism by any means; he has also been arrested in previous protests promoting the fight for campaign finance reform, the environment, and media freedom.

Cohen’s many acts of activism often align with his company, as Ben & Jerry’s has always lent its support to social justice.

Ultimately, Cohen’s protest demonstrates that he is still committed to political activism and hasn’t become complacent in confronting people he believes promoted negative rhetoric.

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The event has renewed a dialogue on the purpose of public demonstrations in political communication and the accountability of public figures to respond to hate speech.

The protest disrupted the Senate hearing, drawing attention to the contentious nature of Kennedy’s suggested budget reduction.

Cohen’s actions were rightly divisive and drew attention to ongoing debates surrounding public health spending and the political decision’s impact on the vulnerable population.

The Senate continues to debate the budget as presented, and the demonstrations by activists such as Cohen are an example of the broader effects of policy decisions outside of direct funding.

The incident also contributes to the issues of free speech versus orderly behavior in an environment of government proceedings.

Cohen’s arrest is evidence of his dedication to activism and his willingness to hold public officials accountable. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on the public image and what effects, if any, this will have on policies in the future.

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