Sen. John Kennedy Faces Backlash for Islamophobic Remarks at Senate Hearing

Kennedy's inflammatory questioning of Arab American witness Maya Berry highlights deep divisions over addressing hate crimes in the U.S..

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Sen. John Kennedy accused Maya Berry of supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, despite her clear denials.
Kennedy's remarks were widely condemned as racist and Islamophobic, drawing criticism from advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers.
The hearing, intended to address the rise in hate crimes, exposed stark divisions between Republicans and Democrats on whether to focus specifically on antisemitism or broader prejudice.
Witnesses and experts, including Berry, emphasized the interconnected nature of various forms of bigotry and the dangers of isolating antisemitism from other hate crimes.
The contentious exchange underscored the ongoing debate about how best to combat hate in America, with some arguing for a unified approach to tackling all forms of discrimination.