RFK Jr. tells congresswoman "those are crocodile tears" during tense moment at House hearing

[0:00] I now recognize the gentlelady from Georgia, Ms. McBath. [0:04] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for being before us today. [0:08] You have characterized many things as epidemics and threats to public health, including autism [0:13] and the presence of fluoride in our drinking water. [0:17] Shootings are the number one cause of death for children in this country, and they have [0:21] been since 2020. [0:23] But when you were asked if gun violence was a public health crisis during your Senate [0:28] confirmation hearing last year, you answered with a succinct no, which I would like to [0:34] submit digitally for the record. [0:38] My son Jordan Davis was murdered in a shooting at just 17 years of age. [0:44] Simple answer, yes or no. [0:46] Do you believe that gun violence is an epidemic or a public health crisis? [0:49] I would say it's an epidemic. [0:52] I think it's a law enforcement issue and not public health. [0:59] I find it kind of absurd to hear you say that. [1:04] I really do. [1:05] Do you think I should be regulating gangs at HHS? [1:08] I think, Secretary, it's my time. [1:10] I think it's kind of absurd to hear you say that. [1:12] So can you tell me how many children were killed by fluoride toxicity in my home state [1:18] of Georgia in 2024? [1:20] Fluoride toxicity? [1:21] I have probably none. [1:23] You're right. [1:24] The answer is absolutely zero. [1:25] So can you tell me how many children were killed by fluoride across the country in 2024? [1:30] Fluoride doesn't kill you. [1:31] That's an absurd question. [1:32] Again, that answer is zero. [1:34] So how about… [1:35] Nobody would answer that answer question. [1:37] How about… [1:38] I'm reclaiming my time. [1:40] How about by firearms? [1:42] Can you tell me how many kids were killed in shootings across the country in 2024? [1:48] You can see right behind me. [1:49] I can't read it. [1:52] 3,865 over 10 a day. [1:57] That's more than drownings, more than car accidents, more than cancer, and certainly [2:02] more than fluoride. [2:03] It is far more than many of the things that you choose to focus on in your time as secretary. [2:10] I'm reclaiming my time, secretary. [2:13] It's obvious that gun violence is an epidemic, and it is both a public health crisis. [2:19] I know it, and so do the thousands of parents who are burying their kids in this country [2:24] every single year. [2:25] But what I don't know is how you can expect the American people to take your opinion seriously, [2:31] when you try to tell them that they don't need to worry about the leading cause of death [2:36] for their kids… [2:37] I never told them that. [2:38] I'm reclaiming my time. [2:39] I'm reclaiming my time. [2:41] While you tour the country to talk about the supposed dangers of fluoride, you should [2:46] focus your efforts on things that are really killing our children in this country every single [2:52] day. [2:54] We have limited time here, but I also want to ask you about your comments about people [2:58] with disabilities, especially about people with autism. [3:02] Now, in your first press conference as secretary in April of last year, you said, and I'm quoting, [3:09] autism destroys families, that these are kids who will never pay taxes, never hold a job, [3:13] never play baseball, never write a poem, or go out on a date. [3:17] Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted, which I would also like to submit for the record. [3:23] The truth is that the majority of people on the autism spectrum can do all the things [3:35] that you have mentioned. [3:36] Of course they can, and I never said they couldn't. [3:39] Some people with disabilities do need direct care to assist them with activities like going [3:44] to the bathroom, but that does not mean that they are somehow less than or unable to lead [3:48] fulfilling and productive lives. [3:50] As you have implied… [3:51] And nobody said they were. [3:52] I'm claiming my time. [3:53] I'm asking you here today, secretary, to apologize for spreading lies about people [3:59] with autism and their families. [4:01] Will you apologize for those remarks that you've made? [4:03] Of course not. [4:04] Then if you let me explain, I'm happy to. [4:09] I was talking about people with profound autism, not people who are, you know, who have lower [4:16] impact autism. [4:17] I'm talking about people who are non-verbal, non-toilet trained, head-banging, stimming, [4:23] toe-walking. [4:24] Okay. [4:25] Then since you're… [4:26] Hundreds and hundreds of people have written me letters thanking me those comments. [4:30] Since you're explaining what you really meant, can you apologize to the thousands of families [4:36] that do not believe what you're just telling us now? [4:38] Because if you look at my comments, it was clear who I was talking about. [4:41] You refuse to apologize. [4:42] I find that very, very sad. [4:43] I find that very, very sad. [4:44] It should be very easy for you to apologize if that's not in fact what you meant. [4:48] Those are crocodile tears, Congresswoman. [4:50] I'm very… [4:51] I'm very… [4:52] And for all the families that have children with autism, I'm very sad to hear you say [4:57] that. [4:58] If you want to deal with autism… [4:59] Because those families are dealing with the kinds of conditions that many people just [5:03] don't even understand. [5:04] If you want to deal with autism, come and talk to me. [5:07] If you want to deal with autism, come and talk to me. [5:09] If you want to… [5:10] I'm reclaiming my time. [5:11] The President is trying to close the Department of Education. [5:14] If that happens, service is provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education [5:19] Act, including special ed, may move under your jurisdiction. [5:24] This is unacceptable for so many reasons, but one of the most important reasons is this. [5:30] No parent wants their son or daughter's education to be in the hands of a man who openly admits [5:37] that he does not believe in their children. [5:40] And I yield. [5:41] The gentlelady's time has expired.