Protesters Disrupt Hearing with HHS Secretary

On Tuesday, a lively scene unfolded at Capitol Hill as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attempted to testify about the 2026 budget and its alignment with President Donald Trump’s agenda. Things quickly took a turn, though, as multiple protesters interrupted him before he could even finish his opening remarks, shouting accusations that he was killing people “with hatred.”

The chants echoed in the room: “RFK will kill someone with hatred!” It seemed to take Kennedy by surprise. The protesters continued, “RFK kills people with hatred!”—their voices growing louder as more joined in. It was quite the disruption.

In the midst of this chaos, Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, had to suspend the hearing. “Audience members remind us that no confusion is permitted while the committee is doing its business,” he stated, instructing Capitol Police to escort individuals out of the room.

Once calm returned, Cassidy jested about the incident, calling it a “C-Span moment that was made.”

Meanwhile, Kennedy had been discussing priorities within the HHS budget shortly before the disruptions. He said, “When my team and I were at the helm of the HHS, we achieved a clear goal.” He emphasized a focus on healing America, particularly concerning the chronic disease epidemic, and promised more efficient services to those relying on programs like Medicare and Medicaid.