HHS Employees Demand Kennedy’s Resignation
Over 1,000 current and former employees of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) called for Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign on Wednesday. The letter, which was signed by staff, highlighted issues surrounding Susan Monares, the director Kennedy appointed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Critics accused Kennedy of placing a “political ideologue” in a significant position.
The letter expressed concerns: “We believe health policies should be grounded in evidence rather than partisan politics. Unfortunately, under Secretary Kennedy’s leadership, HHS policies have compromised the health of all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations.” It went on to recommend that if he does not resign, the President and Congress should appoint a new secretary who can ensure health policies are based on sound, peer-reviewed science.
Following this, Monares has, reportedly, refused to resign, even as other officials have stepped down. Recently, Senator Bernie Sanders called for Kennedy’s resignation, citing the actions taken at the CDC. Notably, just last week, the Trump administration announced Monares’ dismissal, only a month after her confirmation, for disregarding Kennedy’s requests for increased restrictions on several vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition to Monares, four other CDC officials resigned in protest of her ousting, which they attributed to policies perceived as anti-vaccine, partly influenced by Kennedy. Hundreds of employees from the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters also left in solidarity with their former colleagues.
Senator Sanders, in a New York Times op-ed, argued that Kennedy has jeopardized public health, emphasizing that Monares was fired for not simply complying with dangerous policies. He criticized Kennedy for promoting prolonged opposition to vaccines and espousing conspiracy theories that have been dismissed by health experts. “It’s absurd to mention this in 2025, but vaccines are safe and effective,” he remarked, reiterating that this perspective reflects a broad consensus in the medical community.
The Trump administration defended Monares’ dismissal, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserting that President Kennedy has the authority to remove individuals not aligning with his mission. “The goal is to enhance trust, transparency, and accountability within the CDC,” she stated, aiming to strengthen the public health system and prepare for future health threats.
