Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused both Joe Biden and Donald Trump of violating personal liberties during the pandemic in speeches at the Libertarian Party convention in Washington. Kennedy, who has been critical of government and media censorship, pledged to restore faith in American leaders and institutions. He formed alliances with minor parties to gain access to the ballot in November and the debate stage next month, as he aims to grow his base of supporters among Americans disaffected with the two major parties.
Kennedy’s pursuit of the Libertarian nomination caused controversy within the party, as some members were hesitant to support a candidate whose views did not always align with their limited government stance. Despite not being on the list of nominees for the Libertarian presidential candidate, Kennedy focused his pitch on criticizing the pandemic responses of both Biden and Trump. He highlighted Trump’s closure of businesses and Biden’s support for vaccine mandates as examples of overstepping by the two administrations.
In his speech, Kennedy also criticized social media companies for censoring dissenting views on COVID-19 origins and vaccine safety under pressure from the government. He emphasized the need to protect constitutional rights and freedoms that he believes have been eroded by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Kennedy reiterated his pledge to pardon WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and drop charges against Edward Snowden, both of whom have faced legal challenges in the U.S.
Vaccines have been proven safe and effective through testing and real-world usage, with the World Health Organization crediting childhood vaccines for preventing millions of deaths annually. Despite the success of COVID-19 vaccines, Kennedy has been involved in an anti-vaccine group that is suing news organizations, including The Associated Press, for allegedly violating antitrust laws by censoring misinformation. Kennedy’s involvement in the group has drawn scrutiny as he continues his presidential campaign, with a focus on championing personal liberties and holding leaders accountable for their actions during the pandemic.
Trump is set to address the Libertarian convention, hoping to court conservative voters who have been skeptical of him in the past. As Kennedy strives to gain support from disaffected Americans, his criticisms of Biden and Trump’s pandemic responses resonate with those who believe in protecting individual freedoms. Kennedy’s unconventional campaign has sparked discussions within the Libertarian Party and beyond, as he aims to challenge the dominance of the two-party system and offer an alternative for voters seeking change in the upcoming election.
