Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr) defended his record as the nation’s top health official during a heated Senate hearing Thursday, responding sharply to questions about recent turmoil at the CDC and vaccine policy changes.
Over three hours of testimony, he repeated vaccine misinformation, criticized the CDC, and offered inconsistent explanations of his plans to reshape the agency.
Through confrontations with lawmakers, RFK Jr signaled that his efforts to overhaul the health establishment remain relentless.
Republicans Question Kennedy’s Vaccine Decisions
Republican senators have mostly supported RFK Jr, as they have with many of President Trump’s Cabinet picks, despite his unilateral changes to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, cuts to mRNA research funding, and reshuffling of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel.
Thursday, however, showed cracks in that support. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) challenged Kennedy on mRNA vaccines and potential conflicts among his handpicked advisers. A physician, Cassidy initially hesitated but ultimately supported RFK Jr nomination after receiving policy assurances. Framing his questions “as a doctor, not a senator,” Cassidy pressed Kennedy on contradictions, including Trump’s Operation Warp Speed and Kennedy’s past statements labeling COVID vaccines the “deadliest ever made.”
Cassidy also criticized HHS for creating confusion over vaccine access. Kennedy defended himself, insisting no vaccines were withheld and that any confusion was not his responsibility.
Other Republicans, including Sens. John Barrasso (Wyo.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), raised pointed concerns. Barrasso said he was “deeply concerned” about Kennedy’s vaccine oversight but reiterated his support for the president. Tillis questioned Kennedy on COVID shots and the firing of former CDC Director Susan Monarez, highlighting concerns about abrupt leadership changes.
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Kennedy Defends CDC Shake-Up
Kennedy’s testimony came just over a week after he ousted former CDC Director Monarez, prompting three senior officials to resign in protest.
He called the shake-up “absolutely necessary” to restore the agency’s “gold standard” in protecting Americans from infectious diseases.
“We are the sickest country in the world. That’s why we have to fire people at the CDC—they did not do their job,” Kennedy said. “I need to fire some of those people to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”
Kennedy reiterated his criticism that the CDC “failed miserably” during the COVID pandemic, targeting officials responsible for mask mandates and school closures.
Conflicting Accounts Over Monarez’s Ousting
Kennedy faced repeated questions about his removal of former CDC Director Monarez, who served just 29 days, and whether he pressured her to fire senior staff or approve changes weakening vaccine protections.
Monarez claimed in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that Kennedy urged her to “preapprove recommendations from a vaccine advisory panel filled with people who have publicly expressed antivaccine views.” Kennedy disputed her account, saying “yes” when asked if she was lying.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned Kennedy about reports that Monarez was forced to resign over childhood vaccine schedule changes. Kennedy said he asked her, “Are you a trustworthy person?” When she replied “no,” he told her to resign, framing it as standard practice. Warren noted that Kennedy had praised Monarez as “unimpeachable” just a month earlier.
In another exchange with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Kennedy admitted he pressured Monarez to dismiss senior staff but claimed he never met with her one-on-one.
Fiery Exchanges with Democratic Senators
Kennedy clashed repeatedly with Democratic senators during the hearing. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) criticized reduced access to COVID-19 vaccines, accusing Kennedy of sowing “confusion” to advance his ideology. Kennedy fired back, alleging Bennet supported Big Pharma’s unchecked influence and demanded answers about myocarditis and pericarditis risks. Bennet retorted he was speaking for parents, schools, and teachers nationwide.
Kennedy also engaged in a heated exchange with Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who labeled him a “charlatan” over cuts to mRNA research funding. Kennedy insisted she was wrong about the facts, prompting Cantwell to repeat her accusation.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren criticized Kennedy for limiting COVID-19 vaccine access and questioned his abrupt reversal on Monarez, noting his prior praise during her nomination. “I was afraid she was going to bend the knee to you and Donald Trump, and it looks like she didn’t,” Warren said.
Kennedy Continues Criticism of COVID-19 Vaccines
Kennedy repeatedly attacked COVID-19 vaccines while asserting support for Trump and Operation Warp Speed. He aligned with Retsef Levi, a new member of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, claiming mRNA vaccines pose serious risks, including death, especially for young people.
Kennedy questioned the number of COVID-19 deaths and the vaccines’ effectiveness, citing cases of myocarditis in young boys without noting how rare these incidents are. He also suggested that health officials concealed safety data on the shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did RFK Jr. remove CDC Director Monarez?
Kennedy cited concerns over trust and performance, claiming the shake-up was necessary to restore the CDC’s “gold standard” in protecting Americans from infectious diseases. Monarez served only 29 days and later alleged she was pressured to approve vaccine advisory panel recommendations.
What controversies surround Kennedy’s vaccine policies?
Kennedy has altered COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, cut mRNA research funding, reshuffled the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, and raised doubts about vaccine safety, especially regarding myocarditis in young people.
How have Republicans responded to Kennedy’s actions?
While many Republicans initially supported Kennedy, some, including Senators Bill Cassidy, John Barrasso, and Thom Tillis, have voiced concerns about vaccine policies, leadership changes, and reduced CDC transparency.
How have Democrats reacted to Kennedy’s tenure?
Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren, Michael Bennet, Maria Cantwell, and Raphael Warnock, have openly criticized Kennedy for limiting vaccine access, firing senior CDC officials, and spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
What is Kennedy’s position on COVID-19 vaccines?
Kennedy has repeatedly questioned vaccine safety and effectiveness, cited rare cases of myocarditis in young males, and suggested that health officials have concealed data, despite claiming alignment with Trump’s Operation Warp Speed.
What are the broader implications of the CDC shake-up?
Kennedy’s changes have triggered resignations, raised concerns about public health oversight, and sparked debate over the integrity and independence of the CDC’s scientific guidance.
Conclusion
RFK Jr.’s tenure as HHS Secretary has been marked by intense controversy, clashes with both Republican and Democratic senators, and sweeping changes at the CDC. His actions including ousting key officials, altering vaccine guidance, and questioning COVID-19 vaccine safety have fueled a national debate over public health policy, transparency, and trust in federal health agencies.