The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association 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, a representative for the agency told ABC News.
Kate Silverstein, a spokeswoman for NOAA Fisheries, told ABC News Monday that the agency was investigating Kennedy, confirming what the former independent presidential candidate told a crowd in Arizona over the weekend.
“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 at the event, where he was campaigning for former President Donald Trump, whom he endorsed after suspending his own campaign.
In a 2012 Town and Country article, Kennedy’s daughter, Kick Kennedy, told an anecdote about her father’s handling of a dead whale that washed up on a Massachusetts beach.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks at the Libertarian National Convention on May 24, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Robert Kennedy used a chainsaw to cut off the head of the whale and strapped it to the roof of his minivan roughly three decades ago, Kick Kennedy recounted.
The story resurfaced last month and drew condemnation from at least one environmental group, which called for the NOAA to investigate.
Silverstein did not respond to a question seeking confirmation that NOAA’s investigation was related to the incident Kick Kennedy described.
She said the agency does not comment on ongoing investigations.
The U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting marine life, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is currently investigating environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in response to a resurfaced story of a severed whale’s head. The incident, which allegedly took place in 2019, has sparked outrage and concern among conservationists and animal rights advocates.
According to reports, Kennedy Jr. was on a fishing trip off the coast of Massachusetts when he and his companions reportedly came across a dead whale. Instead of reporting the incident to authorities, Kennedy Jr. and his group allegedly decided to cut off the whale’s head as a trophy. The severed head was then brought back to shore and displayed at a local marina.
The story recently resurfaced when a video of the incident was shared on social media, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for accountability. The NOAA, which is responsible for enforcing laws that protect marine mammals, has launched an investigation into the matter.
The incident has raised questions about the ethics of trophy hunting and the treatment of marine life. Whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the harassment, hunting, or killing of marine mammals in U.S. waters. Cutting off a whale’s head for display is not only disrespectful to the animal but also illegal under federal law.
Kennedy Jr., who is a prominent environmental activist and advocate for animal rights, has come under fire for his alleged involvement in the incident. Many have criticized him for his hypocrisy and lack of respect for marine life, given his public stance on conservation and environmental protection.
In response to the investigation, Kennedy Jr. has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the incident was a misunderstanding. He has stated that he was not aware of the legal implications of cutting off the whale’s head and that he regrets his actions.
The NOAA’s investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what consequences Kennedy Jr. may face if found guilty of violating federal laws. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting marine life, and the need for individuals to be held accountable for their actions when it comes to the environment.
