United States: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an autonomous contender for the presidential seat, articulated on Monday a contentious assertion asserting President Joe Biden’s pose as a more pronounced menace to democracy than his predecessor, former President Donald Trump.
His contention, articulated on CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront,” pivoted on the impediments encountered on social media platforms during the Biden administration, which he decried as endeavors to “quash political discourse” and subvert the First Amendment.
“I posit that President Biden poses a graver threat to democracy, premised upon his unique utilization of federal agencies to stifle political expression, thereby muzzling his opposition,” he expounded.
Kennedy cited his expulsion from social media platforms, attributing it to pressures exerted by the Biden administration, as substantiation of the president’s censorship endeavors.
Kennedy’s suspension from Instagram in 2021, purportedly for disseminating debunked assertions regarding the coronavirus or vaccines, was rescinded last year, shortly after the launch of his presidential campaign. Meta, Instagram’s parent conglomerate, ascribed the restoration of Kennedy’s account to his bid for the White House in a formal declaration.
In December, the Supreme Court barred Kennedy’s participation in a legal challenge instigated by the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana concerning the Biden administration’s correspondence with social media entities concerning posts construed as disseminating misinformation. Kennedy currently awaits adjudication on a similar case in a subordinate court, CNN reported.
A staunch advocate for freedom of speech, Kennedy testified last year before the House Judiciary’s subcommittee on the instrumentalization of federal governance. Invited by House Republicans, his discourse was embedded within their inquiry into purported censorship against conservative voices on social media platforms.
Although he perceives both Biden and Trump as unsuitable for re-election, Kennedy eschews the narrative suggesting either candidate would “annihilate democracy.”
While acknowledging Trump’s endeavors to subvert the outcome of the 2020 presidential election as undeniably deleterious to democracy, Kennedy maintains that Biden poses a graver threat.
“The act of attempting to overturn the election unquestionably undermines democracy,” Kennedy averred. “However, the pivotal inquiry pertains to ascertaining the more menacing threat to democracy. I refrain from a direct response but contend that President Biden is a contender for this dubious distinction by virtue of weaponizing federal agencies against his adversaries.”
The independent candidate conceded that Trump’s actions were alarming but underscored his belief that Biden’s purported weaponization of federal apparatuses against political rivals eclipses the former’s transgressions.
“I deem it imperative to defend President Trump’s actions in this regard, which were indeed reprehensible. Numerous actions undertaken by President Trump warrant censure,” he remarked.
In response to Kennedy’s assertions, the Democratic National Committee issued a retort, repudiating any parity between Biden and Trump.
“With audacious conviction, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. contends that Joe Biden poses a graver threat to democracy than Donald Trump, citing his expulsion from online platforms due to propagating conspiracy theories,” remarked DNC senior adviser Mary Beth Cahill. “Such a juxtaposition is untenable; comparing a veritable insurrection incited by Trump to a measure aimed at curtailing misinformation is preposterous. Kennedy Jr.’s espousal of MAGA rhetoric unequivocally exposes his role as a spoiler candidate,” according to CNN Politics.
During the interview, Kennedy sought to downplay the repercussions of questioning the electoral integrity, a stance he’s adopted in prior presidential contests, asserting the imperative of affording latitude to individuals alleging electoral malfeasance.
“We must refrain from ostracizing individuals who posit that the election was rigged; demonization serves no purpose. Rather, there’s an exigency to foster bipartisan collaboration in rectifying electoral processes,” he emphasized.
Reflecting on past elections, Kennedy asserted his belief that the 2000 presidential election was “stolen,” referencing a 2006 Rolling Stone article wherein he scrutinized the integrity of the 2004 presidential election.
Kennedy, aged 70, initially embarked on his presidential bid as a Democrat challenging Biden in the primaries last year before transitioning to an independent candidacy in October. Recently, he announced attorney Nicole Shanahan, aged 38, as his running mate during a campaign rally in Oakland, California.
Despite lacking prior governmental experience, Kennedy has cultivated a niche following drawn to his vociferous critique of public health mandates and the pervasive influence of capital on governmental and corporate decisions. While he has sought to distance himself from antecedent anti-vaccine rhetoric since commencing his campaign, he continues to assail Covid-19 vaccine mandates and pandemic-induced lockdowns at campaign venues.
Addressing familial reproach
The scion of former Democratic presidential nominee Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of erstwhile Democratic President John F. Kennedy, Kennedy Jr. frequently invokes his family’s legacy to buttress his campaign ethos, notwithstanding criticisms from some family members regarding his adversarial stance toward Biden.
Kennedy characterized Biden as “a cherished ally of my family for four decades,” asserting his indifference toward pursuing the presidential bid sans familial endorsement, professing to feel “cherished by them” notwithstanding political divergences.
These assertions emanate amidst familial gatherings, including a recent St. Patrick’s Day convocation at the White House, where several extended family members expressed support for Biden via social media posts. Biden reciprocated Kerry Kennedy’s post with a cordial acknowledgment: “From one proud Irish clan to another—delighted to host your family at the White House.”
In a recent CNN interview, Kennedy’s sister Rory Kennedy voiced apprehensions regarding his potential to undermine Biden’s electoral prospects.
Kennedy, in response, elucidated his upbringing amidst a milieu characterized by spirited debates and ideological discord, underscoring the enduring familial bonds notwithstanding political disparities.
“I hail from a vast family—approximately 105 cousins, by our last tally. It’s a diverse tapestry. I don’t reckon anyone in America encounters familial consensus on every issue,” Kennedy remarked. “We were nurtured in an environment fostering spirited debates, akin to my father’s upbringing, wherein divergent viewpoints coalesced within an ambiance of familial affection. I cherish Rory and my kin, and I am reciprocally cherished by them.”
Kennedy also allayed concerns regarding his potential role as a spoiler candidate, contending that neither Biden nor Trump aligns with his policy imperatives, encompassing fiscal responsibility and recalibration of the national defense budget.
“I harbor skepticism regarding the capability of either President Trump or President Biden to mitigate the looming debt crisis—a truly existential predicament. Neither espouses a coherent strategy to extricate us from protracted military engagements,” he asserted, according to CNN.