RFK Jr. confirms he is under investigation over whale specimen collection
Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed over the weekend that he is under investigation for “collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago.”
“Right after I endorsed President Trump, I received a letter from the 'National Marine Fisheries Institute' saying that they were investigating me for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago," Kennedy said Saturday at an Arizona campaign event for former President Trump in a clip published by NBC News.
"This is all about the weaponization of our government against political opponents of the party in power," Kennedy added later.
Kennedy seemed to be referring to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that is responsible for marine fisheries.
In 2012, Kennedy’s daughter Kick told Town & Country Magazine that her father cut the head off a whale that had washed up on the shore in Hyannis Port, Mass., when she was a child. The interview gained traction again recently after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended his campaign and endorsed Trump.
An environmental advocacy group last month called for Kennedy to be investigated over the incident. The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund said in a letter to NOAA that it is “illegal to possess any part of an animal, dead or alive” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act and that NOAA should open an investigation.
In late August, Kennedy said he was suspending his campaign and backing Trump.
“In my heart, I no longer believe that I have a realistic path to electoral victory in the face of this relentless, systematic censorship and media control,” Kennedy said at the time. “So I cannot in good conscience ask my staff and volunteers to keep working their long hours, or ask my donor to keep giving when I cannot honestly tell them that I have a real path to the White House.”
The Hill has reached out to the Kennedy's team, the Democratic National Committee and the NMFS regarding his latest remarks.
Date: |
-
ABC News - Top stories
Federal agency investigating RFK Jr. after severed whale’s head story resurfaces
The NOAA is investigating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after the resurfacing of a decades-old incident in which Kennedy allegedly drove a dead whale’s head across state lines.Yesterday -
The New York Times - Top stories
North Carolina Absentee Ballots Delayed After Fight Over RFK Jr.
After dropping out of the race and endorsing Donald Trump, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been fighting in court to remove his name from ballots in several states.2 days ago -
The Hill - Politics
RFK Jr. says he's helping Trump pick leaders of FDA, NIH, CDC
Former independent presidential candidate and antivaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that former President Trump wants him to choose leaders for key public health agencies if he wins the ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
Where RFK Jr. stands in battleground states
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may have dropped his third-party presidential bid, but his name will remain on the ballot in some battleground states in November. The independent announced last month he was ...Yesterday -
The Hill - Politics
Trump Jr., RFK Jr. warn Biden against long-range missiles for Ukraine
Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump Jr. slammed the Biden administration in an opinion piece to The Hill following reports from The New York Times last ...Yesterday - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Senate confirms 12th LGBTQ lifetime judge under Biden, breaking Obama-era record
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the 12th openly LGBTQ person to the federal bench since President Biden took office, the most of any presidential administration. The Democratic-controlled Senate ...8 hours ago - Joe Biden -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Grading NBA news & alternative over/unders with Jake Fischer | Devine Intervention
You asked for it and here it is! No Cap Room co-host Jake Fischer finally joins Dan Devine on a very special episode of Devine Intervention.1 hour ago - NBA -
CBS Sports - Sports
Self-learning AI releases NFL against the spread, over-under, money-line picks for each 2024 Week 3 game
SportsLine AI reveals its NFL predictions and NFL betting picks for all 16 NFL games in Week 311 hours ago - NFL -
CBS Sports - Sports
Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase flagged for 'abusive language' after outburst over what he thought was hip-drop tackle
Chase was frustrated over a hip-drop tackle that wasn't calledYesterday
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Republican Arizona county chair endorses Democrat to replace him
The Republican chair of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in Arizona has endorsed a Democrat to replace him. "I am endorsing Joel [Navarro] because he is a man of integrity, because he is a ...44 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Newark official wins special election to fill late New Jersey Rep. Payne's seat
Newark City Council President LaMonica McIver (D) has won the special election to fill a vacant House seat representing New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. ...1 hour ago -
The Hill - Politics
RFK Jr. says he's helping Trump pick leaders of FDA, NIH, CDC
Former independent presidential candidate and antivaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that former President Trump wants him to choose leaders for key public health agencies if he wins the ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
The Hill - Politics
EPA retaliated against three scientists, says watchdog
Presented by TerraPower — The Environmental Protection Agency’s internal watchdog has found that the agency retaliated against three staffers for expressing different scientific opinions. {beacon} ...2 hours ago -
The Hill - Politics
House GOP torpedoes Speaker Johnson’s funding bill
House Republicans voted down Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal to fund the government, leaving the path to averting a shutdown unclear and putting Johnson in danger of disappointing former President ...2 hours ago - House