White House defends Robert F Kennedy Jr amid CDC turmoil

August 29, 2025

The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid significant turmoil at the CDC, including the firing of CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez for not aligning with the president's agenda and her replacement by Kennedy's deputy Jim O'Neill.

Who is affected

CDC employees, including 600 workers who were permanently laid off and senior leaders who resigned
Public health workers responding to infectious diseases like bird flu
Researchers studying environmental hazards
Staff handling public record requests
American children who rely on the vaccine schedule
The American public who depends on CDC guidance and protection from diseases

What action is being taken

The White House is defending Robert F. Kennedy Jr. through statements from Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller
Kennedy is implementing funding cuts and changes to how the US recommends and regulates immunizations
Several Democratic senators are calling for Kennedy's resignation
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy's Senate Health Committee is planning to conduct oversight over the high-profile departures
Kennedy has written an open letter to CDC employees stating his commitment to "restore trust, transparency, and credibility"

Why it matters

The CDC is one of the world's foremost public health bodies responsible for disease control and prevention
Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry warns the agency may lose capacity to "do good science, respond to an outbreak and to prevent chronic diseases"
Disruption of the vaccine schedule for children could lead to the spread of "preventable diseases throughout the US again, like polio and measles"
Kennedy's policies are described by former officials as lacking scientific integrity
The situation has created bipartisan concern in Congress about the CDC's leadership and scientific process

What's next

Senator Bill Cassidy is urging a delay on a vaccine advisory committee hearing scheduled for next month
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee plans to conduct oversight regarding the high-profile departures
Republican Senator Susan Collins has asked for a congressional hearing to examine what is happening at the CDC

Read full article from source: BBC