The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr after a chaotic week at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that led to calls for his removal.
On Friday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called Kennedy, also known as RFK Jr, a crown jewel of this administration.
Earlier this week, CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez was fired because she was not aligned with the president's agenda, according to a White House statement, and was replaced by RFK Jr's deputy, Jim O'Neill.
At least three senior CDC leaders have since resigned due to frustrations regarding Kennedy’s leadership and vaccine policy, prompting some lawmakers to call for his resignation.
Miller praised Kennedy as one of the world's foremost voices, advocates and experts on public health, asserting his efforts to restore CDC's credibility and integrity.
It’s noteworthy that Kennedy does not hold a medical degree, having a background in law before his appointment by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees various US health agencies, including the CDC.
The recent upheaval follows the CDC's previous decision to permanently fire 600 employees, according to a representative from the workers' union. The layoffs affected those involved in pandemic responses and public health research.
Since assuming office, Kennedy has revised funding mechanisms and altered US immunization recommendations, drawing ire from public health experts.
Former CDC Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Debra Houry, expressed her concerns regarding Kennedy's policies, warning they lack scientific integrity and emphasizing that a disruption in children's vaccine schedules could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases.
Several Democrat senators, including Jon Ossoff and Chuck Schumer, have voiced their disapproval and called for Kennedy's resignation, with Schumer criticizing Trump for appointing him in the first place.
Republican Senator Susan Collins also showed apprehension regarding the CDC's turmoil and requested a congressional inquiry into the matter. Bill Cassidy, the Senate Health Committee chairman, plans to conduct oversight on the latest departures from the CDC.
In response to the upheaval, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sent an open letter to CDC employees, affirming his commitment to restoring trust and transparency within the agency.
He emphasized, Reform does not diminish your work; it strengthens it. The American people are ready to believe in this agency again if we show them that integrity, accountability, and science guide every decision. In closing, Kennedy noted his goal to rebuild the CDC into a guardian of America’s health and security.
