HHS Director Accuses Former CDC Head of Dishonesty

Health and Human Services (HHS) Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has leveled accusations against the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), claiming she has lied about vaccine recommendations.

During a Senate Finance Committee meeting on Thursday, which was part of discussions around President Donald Trump’s healthcare agenda, Kennedy—referencing his “Make America Healthy” campaign—criticized the actions of former CDC director Susan Monares, among others.

Amid recent turmoil within the CDC, triggered by Monares’s departure and the exit of several senior officials, Kennedy’s stance on vaccines has become a focal point for both senators and Democratic members.

At the hearing, an intense exchange unfolded between Kennedy and Sen. Ron Wyden, a prominent Democrat on the committee. Kennedy accused Monares of being untruthful in her previous statements. In a pointed moment, Wyden pressed Kennedy on whether he informed Monares that he would back her vaccine recommendations even if he had doubts about their scientific merit.

“Yes or no? You can call her a liar if you want,” Wyden challenged. “But I expect a response.” Kennedy replied firmly, denying that he had any such conversation with her.

Meanwhile, the committee has expressed bipartisan frustration over the CDC’s recent decisions, demanding an investigation into the agency’s guidance regarding vaccines. Wyden’s probing came as part of broader concerns about the credibility and operations of the CDC under current leadership.

Kennedy previously argued in the hearing about the need to restore the CDC to a “gold standard” of public health and outlined reasons for dismissing Monares and the vaccine recommendation panel. He pointed out the stark statistics surrounding COVID-19 fatalities in America, where, despite comprising just 4.2% of the global population, the country has faced nearly 20% of the total COVID deaths. This, he emphasized, illustrates the shortcomings of the agency’s management, calling for new, innovative leadership at the CDC.

“As my father once said, ‘Progress is a good word, but change is the motivation,'” Kennedy remarked, suggesting that fresh ideas are crucial for the agency moving forward.