White House Backs RFK Jr Amid CDC Leadership Shake-Up
The White House defends Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after several senior CDC officials resigned, while lawmakers and experts call for his removal over vaccine policy changes.
White House Backs Health Secretary RFK Jr.
The White House on Friday publicly defended Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a turbulent week at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called Kennedy "a crown jewel of this administration," as lawmakers and public health officials expressed concern over leadership changes at the CDC.
CDC Leadership Changes and Resignations
This week CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez was ousted for "not aligning with the president's agenda" and replaced by Jim O'Neill, Kennedy's deputy. At least three senior CDC officials have since resigned, citing disagreements with Kennedy's approach to vaccine policy and public health science.
Concerns Over Vaccine Policy
Kennedy, who lacks a medical degree and previously led an anti-vaccine organization, has enacted funding cuts and regulatory changes that experts fear could undermine immunization programs. Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry warned that policy shifts could disrupt children's vaccine schedules, risking outbreaks of preventable diseases like polio and measles.
Political Reactions
Democratic senators including Jon Ossoff and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have urged Kennedy's resignation, while some Republicans, such as Senator Susan Collins, have sought hearings to examine the agency's direction. Senator Bill Cassidy, who oversees health policy in the Senate, has called for oversight and postponed vaccine advisory meetings amid the controversy.
Kennedy's Response
In an open letter to CDC staff, Kennedy pledged to "restore trust, transparency, and credibility" and rebuild the agency as "a guardian of America's health and security."
Senior departures and political pressure have put RFK Jr.'s leadership of the CDC under intense scrutiny, even as the White House insists he is crucial to restoring the agency's integrity.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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