Minnesota Sen blasts RFK Jr for 'peddling bulls**t’ after he links psychiatric meds to school shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Minnesota Senator Tina Smith sharply criticized Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Thursday, August 28, after he announced on Fox News that his department was launching an investigation into possible links between antidepressants and mass shootings.

The backlash followed a devastating attack at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, where 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire, killing two children and injuring 18 others.

After the shooting, Westman’s handwritten journal surfaced online, revealing deeply personal struggles with mental health and gender identity, which sparked nationwide debate. 

Tina Smith slams Robert F Kennedy Jr over his investigation approach

During an appearance on 'Fox & Friends,' host Brian Kilmeade questioned Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr about the recent Minnesota school shooting and whether medications used during gender transition could play a role in such violent incidents.

Kilmeade noted that the shooter was a transgender individual and referenced a similar case in Tennessee, asking whether Kennedy would investigate the possible influence of transition-related drugs.

Kennedy responded that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was already conducting research into whether selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and other psychiatric medications could contribute to violent behavior. 

"We are doing those kinds of studies now at NIH. We’re launching studies on potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some of the other psychiatric drugs that might be contributing to violence," he said.

He emphasized, "Many of them … had black box warnings that warn of suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation. So we can’t exclude those as a culprit and those are the kind of studies we’re doing." He added, "There are black box warnings on some of these psychiatric drugs that warn … in clinical trials that they saw suicidal and homicidal ideation. We are going into that with an open mind."

Kennedy’s comments quickly sparked outrage. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith slammed him in a series of posts, writing, “I dare you to go to Annunciation School and tell our grieving community, in effect, guns don’t kill kids, antidepressants do.” She added bluntly, “Just shut up. Stop peddling bulls**t. You should be fired."

Refusing to let up, Smith also criticized America’s gun culture, pointing out, “There are 400 million guns in this country. More guns than people. In America, we are ten times more likely to be shot in a school or playground than any other developed nation."

Internet sparks debate after Tina Smith criticizes RFK Jr

A video featuring Robert F Kennedy Jr’s remarks about investigating a potential link between psychiatric drugs and mass violence, along with Senator Tina Smith’s sharp response, quickly went viral, sparking intense discussion online.

Supporters and critics flooded social media with reactions. One user approved of the investigation, writing, “Good. Drugs can be so dangerous and lead to such unexpected consequences.” Another questioned the focus, asking, “What about guns?” 

Some users criticized Kennedy harshly. One wrote, “Suggesting psychiatric medications may cause violence reinforces harmful myths about mental illness and undermines treatment access. By focusing on medication, Kennedy sidesteps the policy debate around gun regulation and public safety.”

Another outraged commenter added, “So he sees another mass shooting and thinks antidepressants are the problem, not deranged people having access to assault rifles. How is this guy in charge of health policy?"

Others pushed back against Smith’s gun-focused arguments. One user asked, “How will you stop mentally ill people from obtaining illegal guns? Did prohibition stop drinking?”

Another echoed the sentiment, writing, “Out of those 400 million guns, how many are out there killing people without some psychopath pulling the trigger? That’s. The. Point.”

One commenter summed it up: “We leave our insane on the streets. That’s the problem.”

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.