Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently revealed that he is under federal investigation for an incident that allegedly occurred two decades ago involving a whale skull.
During a recent political rally, he disclosed that this legal inquiry pertains to his acquisition and cross-state transportation of the marine mammals remains, New York Post reported.
The probe by the National Marine Fisheries Institute focuses on Kennedy's actions surrounding the illegal transportation of a decapitated whale's head, an event he was linked to nearly twenty years earlier. Kennedy divulged details about the investigation while showing his support at a campaign event for former President Donald Trump.
Triggered by a grievance from the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, the investigation highlights actions that could violate multiple wildlife protection laws. According to the environmental group, Kennedy may have breached the Marine Mammal Protection and Endangered Species Acts.
Additionally, the situation might fall under the Lacey Act of 1900, which criminalizes the interstate transportation of illegally obtained wildlife, suggesting that Kennedy's actions could even be classified as a felony. The incident first became publicly known through a 2012 interview with Kennedy’s daughter, printed in Town and Country Magazine, where she humorously recounted the saga of transporting the foul-smelling whale skull in a car, leading to widespread public scorn.
Kick Kennedy, the daughter of RFK Jr., vividly described the journey with the whale skull strapped to their vehicle. She recounted, "Every time we accelerated on the highway, whale juice would pour into the windows, and it was the rankest thing on the planet."
She revealed that the unusual family trip included makeshift protective gear: "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."
The inquiry into Kennedy’s behavior surfaced shortly after his formal endorsement of Trump in the 2024 presidential race following his withdrawal. Kennedy has pointed out that the timing suggests political motivations behind the investigation.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed suspicion about the timing and rationale behind the legal challenges he faces. He argues that the probe into his past is politically charged and linked to his controversial environmental record and current political engagements.
Kennedy revealed, "I received a letter from the National Marine Fisheries Institute saying that they were investigating me for collecting a whale specimen 20 years ago." He criticized the inquiry as a misuse of government power, alleging that it aimed to discredit him due to his political affiliations and past environmental actions.
During his campaign support declaration, Kennedy also mentioned an unrelated incident involving the disposal of a deceased bear in New York City’s Central Park but provided no additional details.
The resurfacing of these striking episodes from Kennedy's past highlights the ongoing tensions between his environmental activism and his involvement in high-profile political movements. While it remains uncertain whether the inquiry will lead to legal action, it has refocused public attention on Kennedy's unconventional methods of environmental engagement.
This investigation could escalate into a significant challenge for Kennedy, intertwining his environmentalist activities with potential legal repercussions at a time when his political endorsements are under sharp scrutiny. The overlap of environmental laws, personal histories, and political affiliations underscores the complex legacy RFK Jr. navigates, surrounded by controversies both past and present.
