On August 30, 2025, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called for the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of “endangering the health of the American people” in a New York Times op-ed. Sanders, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, criticized Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance and his firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who refused to implement vaccine restrictions. Four senior CDC officials resigned in protest, and hundreds of staff walked out, alleging Kennedy’s policies undermine science. Sanders warned that Kennedy’s plans to target childhood immunization schedules could revive diseases like measles, citing the American Academy of Pediatrics’ endorsement of vaccines as a public health triumph.
Kennedy, appointed in February 2025, has defended his actions, claiming he aims to restore trust in health agencies by questioning vaccine safety. Supporters, including some conservative groups, praise his skepticism as a challenge to institutional overreach, while critics argue his policies threaten public health. The controversy follows Kennedy’s cancellation of $500 million in mRNA vaccine research and his push to limit federal health funding. Sanders, joined by figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren, urged Congress to probe Kennedy’s leadership, calling it a “war on science.” The White House, via Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, backed Kennedy, stating he aligns with Trump’s mission to prioritize transparency. As bipartisan criticism grows, the debate over Kennedy’s tenure intensifies, reflecting deep divides over public health policy.
