Federal Investigation into Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Alleged Decapitation of Dead Whale 20 Years Ago

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces federal investigation over alleged whale decapitation from two decades ago, raising questions about wildlife protection laws and their long-term enforcement.

At a Glance

Federal authorities are investigating RFK Jr. for allegedly decapitating a dead whale 20 years ago
The incident was recalled by Kennedy’s daughter in a 2012 interview, recently resurfacing on social media
Kennedy suggested the investigation might be politically motivated due to his support for Donald Trump
The case highlights complexities in enforcing environmental protection laws long after alleged incidents

Federal Investigation Launched

A federal law enforcement agency has initiated an investigation into Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding an incident that allegedly occurred two decades ago. The probe centers on claims that Kennedy decapitated a dead whale and transported its head home. This unusual case came to light during Kennedy’s recent campaign appearance, where he disclosed receiving a letter about the investigation.

The National Marine Fisheries Service, responsible for enforcing laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, confirmed the ongoing investigation. However, citing a policy against commenting on open cases, they declined to provide further details.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is being investigated for collecting dead whale https://t.co/wMmMciAwgo

— WUSA9 (@wusa9) September 20, 2024

Resurfaced Family Anecdote

The incident in question was initially recounted by Kennedy’s daughter, Kathleen, in a 2012 interview that recently resurfaced on social media platforms. Her vivid description of the event has sparked widespread interest and debate.

“Every time we accelerated on the highway, whale juice would pour into the windows of the car, and it was the rankest thing on the planet,” Kathleen Kennedy recalls. “We all had plastic bags over our heads with mouth holes cut out, and people on the highway were giving us the finger, but that was just normal day-to-day stuff for us.”

According to Kathleen’s account, her father used a chainsaw to remove the whale’s head and then transported it home, causing a significant mess and attracting attention on the highway. This bizarre family anecdote has now become the center of a federal inquiry.

Kennedy’s Response and Political Implications

When questioned about the incident, Kennedy has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, citing the ongoing investigation. However, he did share some thoughts on the matter during a recent campaign event.

Kennedy told a crowd of Trump supporters in Glendale, Arizona, that he received a letter “saying they were investigating me for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago.”

Notably, Kennedy suggested that the timing of the investigation might be politically motivated, potentially linked to his recent endorsement of Donald Trump. He also expressed frustration with the media’s focus on what he termed “gossipy nonsense,” stating, “I’m not interested in feeding that feature of the mainstream media.”

RFK Jr. is being investigated for beheading a dead whale, so @ronnychieng asks @jordanklepper for his expert opinion on what he was planning to do with it. pic.twitter.com/tAJ29oUnP7

— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) September 18, 2024

Legal and Environmental Implications

This case raises significant questions about the enforcement of wildlife protection laws, particularly when dealing with incidents that occurred many years ago. The Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act are designed to safeguard marine life, but their application to historical cases presents unique challenges.

Environmental groups, including the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, have called for a thorough investigation into the matter. They argue that such actions, if proven true, could constitute violations of federal laws designed to protect marine species.

However, the statute of limitations may play a crucial role in determining the legal implications of this case. Kennedy himself has suggested that the statute of limitations for this incident may have expired, potentially limiting the scope of any legal action.

As the investigation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of environmental protection laws and the complexities involved in their long-term enforcement. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for how similar historical cases are handled in the future.