This week, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who is known for spreading conspiracy theories and is currently running for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination, is scheduled to testify to Congress. Specifically, he’ll be appearing before the subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee that deals with the so-called weaponization of the federal government.
Republicans have consistently used such language to describe investigative moves and related actions of which they’re not a fan. With Kennedy, who polling suggests has little to no credible shot at the Democratic nomination, his promotion of conspiracy theories has been consistent, and a recently spreading example involved him insisting on tape that there were substantial differences in impacts on Jews and Chinese people from COVID-19 in comparison to other groups. For starters, Jews don’t constitute an ethnic group always as distinguishable as people from certain countries, and Democrats raised concerns about Kennedy’s rhetoric mirroring how Jews have been artificially distinguished — and dehumanized — throughout history.
“First, Jim Jordan kept his Twitter praise of Kanye up after Kanye said he wants to destroy Jews,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) said online. “Now, Jordan is inviting RFK Jr. to testify to Congress after RFK Jr. says Covid was ethnically targeted to spare Jews. Why does Jordan love antisemitic messengers?” The Twitter post to which Swalwell referred was from the account for Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee. Kennedy originally claimed he didn’t know whether the claimed targeting inherent to COVID-19 was purposeful.
Swalwell also targeted House Speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) after the GOP leader complained about allegedly anti-Semitic commentary from Democrats, a point of contention that every so often arises. “You invited one of America’s biggest antisemitic voices to testify to Congress,” Swalwell replied online. “Sit this one out. Seriously. Adults only.”
Kennedy’s conspiracy theories could also be used to allege Jews and Chinese people have received special treatment, perhaps with those very groups behind the negative impacts seen among other populations. Kennedy has been publicly criticized even by members of his own family as his comments, which were at a private dinner, have circulated.
First, Jim Jordan kept his Twitter praise of Kanye up after Kanye said he wants to destroy Jews.
Now, Jordan is inviting RFK Jr. to testify to Congress after RFK Jr. says Covid was ethnically targeted to spare Jews.
Why does Jordan love antisemitic messengers?
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 17, 2023
You invited one of America’s biggest antisemitic voices to testify to Congress. Sit this one out. Seriously. Adults only. https://t.co/J9iCfui74W
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) July 18, 2023
