HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Defends Remarks on Islamism

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has issued a lengthy statement defending his recent criticisms of political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood. The controversy stems from a campaign event in Michigan where Kennedy, while supporting Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, claimed that Arab nations have produced little scientific or literary output. Kennedy also challenged his Democratic opponent, Abdul El-Sayed, to explicitly denounce the Muslim Brotherhood, an organization Kennedy characterized as a source of violence and oppression.

Kennedy rejected accusations of racism and Islamophobia, arguing that his comments were directed at "Islamism"—which he described as a toxic, seventh-century-focused ideology—rather than at Arab people or the Islamic faith. He further criticized media outlets for allegedly stripping his remarks of context. Additionally, Kennedy reiterated his support for Israel, dismissing allegations of genocide in Gaza as "laughable" and accusing a Qatar-funded propaganda campaign of fueling antisemitism. While Kennedy previously deleted a social media post containing these claims, he has not issued a formal retraction.