During House Panel, RFK Jr. Refuses to Acknowledge He Called for “Re-Parenting” Black Kids in 2024

April 17, 2026 - 19:30

During a contentious House hearing, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to acknowledge past statements where he reportedly called for a program to "re-parent" Black children. The exchange occurred during a session of the House Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, which Kennedy attended.

Democratic Representative Terri Sewell of Alabama directly confronted Kennedy about the alleged comments, which she stated were made earlier this year. When Kennedy denied making such a remark, Rep. Sewell firmly responded, “I am absolutely not making this up,” citing a specific media report. Kennedy continued to dispute the characterization of his words, leading to a heated back-and-forth that underscored the deeply political nature of the hearing.

The reported comments, and Kennedy's subsequent denial, have ignited significant controversy and debate. Critics argue the terminology is offensive and rooted in harmful stereotypes, while Kennedy's supporters claim his views are being misrepresented. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny facing third-party candidates and shifts the focus of the hearing away from its original topic concerning federal agencies. The dispute remains unresolved, with Sewell standing by her account and Kennedy maintaining his denial.