More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees have signed a letter demanding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s resignation as health secretary. They accuse him of weakening U.S. vaccine programs and destabilizing the CDC.
RFK Jr Vaccine Resignation Demand Letter to Congress.
The call for the resignation of RFK Jr. from the vaccine committee from members of Congress was released on Wednesday. Save HHS, an organization, coordinated the letter, stating that Kennedy’s leadership jeopardizes the health of all Americans.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces mounting pressure from HHS employees to resign as health secretary.
Employees and former employees later criticized the secretary for his role in firing CDC director Dr. Susan Monarez. Her termination came just a few months after confirmation, resulting in top CDC officials and leading to staff walkouts.
HHS staff demand resignation letter cites several resignations by high-ranking health officials, including Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan, and Debra Houry.
The signers justify that the secretary’s actions have destabilized one of the nation’s top health agencies.
Critics point to the placement of political allies in influential vaccine roles. Some of those appointees have promoted discredited concepts, including myths regarding linkages between vaccines and autism, which were discredited by intense scientific scrutiny.
Anti-Vax Policies RFK Jr Accused of Fueling Leadership Crisis.
The letter accuses Kennedy of promoting anti-vax policies RFK Jr has long advocated for. It argues that they weaken the credibility of US vaccine programs. The staff asserted that his stance has compromised confidence at the CDC.
The FDA made booster Covid-19 shots qualifications more stringent earlier this week. Kennedy posted on social media that coronavirus mandates were reversed, and only high-risk groups would now be eligible. The workers responded by decrying the move, saying no supporting data was released.
Vaccine Policy Controversy Spikes After CDC Director Is Removed.
The row over the vaccine policy escalated following Monarez’s removal. She resisted pressure from HHS leaders to lift more vaccine restrictions, officials briefed on the issue said. The decision sparked bipartisan outrage and led to numerous resignations.
A New York Times editorial by nine former CDC directors called the removal “unacceptable” and stated it was indicative of changes “unlike anything we have ever seen.” Their statement was added to the mounting criticism of the secretary’s vaccination policies.
Trump Weighs in on RFK Jr Vaccine Resignation Demand.
President Trump commented on the RFK Jr vaccine resignation call, acknowledging in a social media post that the CDC was getting “ripped apart.” He attributed the disruption to pharmaceutical companies, alleging they were not sharing the true efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.
The White House previously justified Monarez’s firing, stating she was “not with the president’s agenda.” The action invited protests and backed up reports of infighting at federal health agencies.
HHS Defends Kennedy Amid Resignation Demands
HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon defended Kennedy, stating that the secretary was attempting to restructure what he called a “broken” CDC. Nixon explained that Kennedy’s reforms were part of a general commitment to evidence-based restructuring of public health agencies.
Kennedy reaffirmed this position in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. He claimed his policies were restoring public trust by removing conflicts of interest and placing the CDC back on its original mission of infectious diseases.
Revised Calls Following CDC Shooting
HHS workers call for resignation letter is in response to an earlier message sent after an August 8 shooting spree at CDC headquarters that killed a police officer. Hundreds of staff asked Kennedy to put an end to “disseminating false health information.”
Health workers and advocacy groups have raised concerns over vaccine policy changes.
Back, HHS rejected any connection between Kennedy’s statements and the attack. A spokesman stated that attaching public health reform to the violence was an attempt to politicize a tragedy.
Congressional Pressure Due to Vaccine Policy Scandal.
Some Congressional lawmakers demanded the resignation of Kennedy. Senator Patty Murray asked the White House to replace him, and Senator Bernie Sanders wrote that Kennedy’s vaccine policy was unacceptable. Representative Rosa DeLauro also demanded his removal.
The letter urging Kennedy’s resignation was addressed to Congress, intensifying political scrutiny.
Sen. Bill Cassidy, chairman of the Senate Health Committee, said the resignations must be supervised. He demanded postponing the Sept. 18 CDC vaccine advisory meeting, asserting the current turmoil undermines its credibility.
RFK Jr Set to Testify Before Senate
Kennedy will provide testimony to the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday about the president’s 2026 health care agenda. Senators will probably question him about the RFK Jr vaccine resignation requirement and the leadership crisis in HHS and CDC.
The authors of the letter warned that unless Kennedy is ousted, Congress and the president should appoint a new secretary with medical training and dedication to peer-reviewed science.
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Final Thoughts:
The mounting demands that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. resign are a turning point in leadership in the area of U.S. public health. Having over 1,000 existing and former HHS staff members calling for reform, the scandal shows that there is a lot of division regarding vaccine policy and the future of the CDC. With politics under strain and citizens still shaky on trust, this crisis will decide how America will manage health in the years to come.
FAQs
- Why are HHS employees demanding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s resignation?
More than 1,000 current and former HHS staff argue that RFK Jr.’s vaccine policies and leadership decisions have endangered public health. They cite his role in firing the CDC Director Susan Monarez, the resignation of senior officials, and the appointment of political figures without scientific expertise. - What role did the CDC play in the controversy?
The turmoil centers on the CDC after its director, Dr. Susan Monarez, was dismissed just months into her tenure. The decision led to the resignations of several top CDC officials, sparking accusations that scientific integrity at the agency was being undermined. - How has RFK Jr. defended his leadership at HHS?
Kennedy has insisted that his actions are aimed at restoring public trust in health institutions. He argues that the CDC has long been broken and says his reforms, including changes to the vaccine advisory panel, are intended to reduce conflicts of interest and bureaucracy. - What has been the Trump administration’s response?
Former President Donald Trump has acknowledged the controversy but defended Kennedy’s broader reform efforts. However, he admitted the CDC was being “ripped apart” by vaccine disputes and suggested pharmaceutical companies share some blame for not being transparent about Covid-19 vaccine outcomes. - What happens next if RFK Jr. refuses to resign?
If Kennedy declines to step down, pressure may increase from Congress and public health organizations. The letter from HHS staff specifically urged Trump to appoint a new secretary with proven scientific expertise, raising the possibility of further political battles and agency instability.
