Ben Cohen, one of the original co-founders of ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, was arrested at RFK Jr.’s first big congressional hearing today.
Cohen stood up and started screaming about Gaza, along with a group of several other protestors, just before RFK Jr. gave his testimony.
He was grabbed and escorted out of the hearing by police before being arrested.
Watch the moment here:
Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen was forcefully removed by authorities after having an outburst during RFK Jr.’s congressional hearing.
Ben and Jerry’s sales
pic.twitter.com/ZxBkgrtXFU— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) May 14, 2025
Here’s another clip with captions that shows what happened after Ben got dragged out of the hearing:
Ben and Jerry’s co-founder arrested for screaming about Gaza at RFK Jr during a hearing.
“Congress sends the bombs that kill children in Gaza and pays it with cuts to Medicaid.” pic.twitter.com/pKeznDmnbB
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) May 14, 2025
Fox News confirmed:
United States Capitol Police (USCP) confirmed Tuesday afternoon that Cohen was among seven people arrested after they disrupted the hearing. While Cohen was only arrested on charges of obstruction, others involved in the protest were arrested for resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, Capitol Police said.
ADVERTISEMENTHowever, it is unclear how many people were charged with the more severe violations.
“RFK kills people with hate!” a protester yelled during the hearing as Kennedy delivered his opening statement.
“RFK kills people with hate!” the chant continued, with more voices joining in. “RFK kills people with hate!”
Multiple people were eventually escorted out of the room, and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), paused the hearing.
Ben Cohen has since been released from custody, though he was given a misdemeanor.
Following his release, he posted on his X account:
I told Congress they’re killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they’re paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities’ response. pic.twitter.com/uOf7xrzzWM
— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 14, 2025
However, Cohen was the only protestor released with just a slap on the wrist. The other protestors that were arrested alongside him are facing additional charges.
This also isn’t the first time that Ben Cohen has been arrested in connection with leftist activism.
Per Newsweek:
According to NBC News, Cohen was one of seven protesters forcibly removed from the hearing and charged with the misdemeanor offense of Crowding, Obstructing, and Incommoding, which prohibits demonstrations inside congressional buildings…
ADVERTISEMENTA spokesperson for the U.S. Capitol Police told NBC News that all of the protesters—except for Cohen—also face additional charges of resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer…
Cohen has previously been arrested for demonstrations supporting press freedom and protesting military policies.
Something tells me it’s gonna be a Rocky Road ahead for Ben & Jerry’s sales…(get it?)
It’s time to “Bud light” Ben and Jerry’s! pic.twitter.com/IBb2uXTXkm
— Sarah Smith (@Defundmedianow) May 14, 2025







