In a striking rebuke, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has called for the resignation of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing grave concerns over his anti-vaccine positions.
According to Fox News, the controversy centers on Kennedy's policies and the recent dismissal of CDC Director Susan Monarez, which Sanders warns could spark a public health crisis by eroding trust in vital vaccines.
Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, voiced his alarm during an interview with Fox News Digital. This came after he headlined the New Hampshire AFL-CIO's annual Labor Day breakfast on Monday. His criticism targets Kennedy, a known environmental activist and vaccine skeptic, who was appointed by President Donald Trump late last year to lead the Department of Health and Human Services in his second term.
Kennedy's selection raised eyebrows from the start due to his longstanding doubts about vaccine safety. Sanders has repeatedly emphasized the danger of such views, arguing they threaten the well-being of the nation. "If Kennedy and his friends are able to make people think that vaccines are not safe, it will be a real public health crisis for America," Sanders cautioned.
The situation escalated last week when CDC Director Susan Monarez was abruptly dismissed, less than a month after her confirmation. Her firing stemmed from her refusal to comply with Kennedy's orders to restrict access to certain vaccines, including those for COVID-19. This move by Kennedy has drawn sharp criticism, as it appears to align with his personal skepticism rather than scientific consensus.
Hours after Monarez's removal, four senior CDC officials stepped down in protest. They accused the Trump administration and Kennedy of politicizing public health for their own agenda. This mass resignation has intensified concerns about the direction of federal health policy under Kennedy's leadership.
The incident has not gone unnoticed on Capitol Hill, where it has prompted rare bipartisan disapproval. Some members of Congress from both parties have expressed unease over the handling of the CDC and its leadership. Sanders, in particular, has been vocal about the broader implications of these actions.
"Despite the overwhelming opposition of the medical community, Secretary Kennedy has continued his longstanding crusade against vaccines and his advocacy of conspiracy theories that have been rejected repeatedly by scientific experts," Sanders stated. He also pointed out that Kennedy has made extreme claims, including assertions that no vaccine is safe or effective. "Who supports Secretary Kennedy's views? Not credible scientists and doctors," Sanders added, noting that one of Kennedy's cited experts had their medical license revoked and research discredited.
Amid the growing criticism, the White House has stood by the decision to remove Monarez. On Thursday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters, affirming the president's prerogative in the matter. "The president has the authority to fire those who are not aligned with his mission," Leavitt declared.
Leavitt further defended the administration's stance, emphasizing a commitment to rebuilding public trust. "The president and Secretary Kennedy are committed to restoring trust and transparency and credibility to the CDC by ensuring their leadership and their decisions are more public-facing, more accountable," she explained. She added that the goal is to strengthen the public health system and refocus on protecting Americans from infectious diseases.
Sanders, undeterred by the White House's defense, urged citizens to take notice of the unfolding situation. "We've got to rally the American people. This is a huge issue," he stressed. He believes public awareness and pressure are essential to counter what he sees as dangerous policies.
The senator also made it clear that his stance is grounded in science. "I'm not a scientist, I'm not a doctor, but I do talk to scientists, and I do talk to doctors, and the evidence is overwhelming. It's not contestable," Sanders said. He reiterated that vaccines have saved countless lives globally, a fact he finds indisputable.
Sanders also aimed for the administration's stated objectives, questioning their sincerity. "Mr. Kennedy and the rest of the Trump administration tell us, over and over, that they want to Make America Healthy Again. That's a great slogan. I agree with it," he remarked. However, he argued that their actions since taking office have contradicted this promise entirely.
The core of Sanders' concern lies in the potential fallout from undermining vaccine confidence. He fears that if distrust grows, preventable diseases could resurge, endangering communities nationwide. "Vaccines work. They save millions and millions of lives," he asserted, urging a return to science-based policy. As the debate rages on, Sanders remains steadfast in his demand for Kennedy's resignation. He views the current trajectory of health policy under Kennedy as a direct threat to national well-being. The senator's outspoken critique signals a broader battle over the future of public health in America.