White House Stands by Health Secretary RFK Jr Amid CDC Turmoil

Mon Oct 20 2025 18:20:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In light of recent challenges faced by the CDC, the White House expresses unwavering support for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite increasing calls for his resignation over controversial health policies.

The White House has defended Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. against growing opposition following significant upheaval within the CDC, culminating in the firing of its chief. Despite a wave of resignations among senior leaders and bipartisan criticism of Kennedy's policies, the administration continues to highlight his contributions as essential for restoring public trust in the health agency.

The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. following a chaotic week at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that has led to calls for his removal.

On Friday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reaffirmed Kennedy, also known as RFK Jr, as a crown jewel of this administration. This comes on the heels of turmoil following the firing of CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez, who the White House claimed was not aligned with the president's agenda and was replaced by RFK Jr.'s deputy, Jim O'Neill.

At least three senior CDC leaders have since resigned in frustration over Kennedy's leadership and vaccine policies, prompting some lawmakers to call for his resignation.

Miller extolled Kennedy’s dedication, calling him one of the world's foremost voices, advocates, and experts on public health who is striving to restore the CDC's credibility. Notably, Kennedy does not hold a medical degree, possessing a legal background before his appointment by Trump.

The recent upheaval follows reports of the CDC permanently firing 600 employees earlier this month, which affected crucial sections of public health management, including infectious disease responses.

Since taking office, Kennedy has faced backlash for implementing funding cuts and changes in immunization recommendations, inciting ire among public health experts. His history as a vaccine critic, including support for tracking and spreading debunked claims about vaccine harm, has further fueled concerns.

Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry, who was among those resigning, stated that Kennedy's policies are devoid of scientific integrity and there are fears that the ongoing turmoil will hamper essential public health responses.

Calls for Kennedy's resignation have arisen from several Democrat senators, including Jon Ossoff and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who criticized Trump's decision to appoint him.

Interestingly, some Republican senators, including Susan Collins, have also questioned the circumstances surrounding the CDC leadership changes, requesting oversight to ensure accountability.

In an open letter, Kennedy committed to restoring trust in the CDC, emphasizing the agency's role in safeguarding American health and reiterated his intent to rebuild its reputation.