‘Shameful Insults’: White House Slams Kennedy For Accusing Muslim Witness at Anti-Hate Hearing of Supporting Terrorism
(Sipa via AP Images)
The White House slammed Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) for asking if an Arab American witness supported Hamas and Hezbollah during a Congressional hearing.
Earlier this week, Kennedy grilled Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, over whether she supported terrorist groups. The Louisiana lawmaker also demanded to know if she supported or opposed Iran “and their hatred of Jews.”
“Hamas is a foreign terrorist organization that I do not support. But you asking the executive director of the Arab American Institute that question very much puts the focus on the issue of hate in our country,” Berry said.
“You should hide your head in a bag,” Kennedy told Berry after she denied not supporting terrorist organizations. Berry responded to Kennedy’s insults by stating that his line of questioning was “extraordinarily disappointing.”
On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke on the incident by calling Kennedy’s actions “shameful” and “abusive.”
.@PressSec @K_JeanPierre on @iMayaBerry ‘s treatment at a recent Senate hearing:
“it was shameful. It was shameful insults and abusive treatment …they were deeply troubling and demonstrate why we need to fight against hate, fight against discrimination of all kinds” https://t.co/r1uAIZUpXB— amna (@IAmAmnaNawaz) September 19, 2024
“It was shameful. It was shameful insults and abusive treatment…they were deeply troubling and demonstrate why we need to fight against hate, fight against discrimination of all kinds,” Jean-Pierre said, according to PBS anchor Amna Nawaz.
