In a shocking testimony before the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) committee, top former officials from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) leveled serious accusations against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. They claim that his actions have significantly hampered the nation’s ability to respond effectively to outbreaks and other disease threats. The hearing, held on Wednesday, has ignited a debate about the integrity and direction of the CDC under Kennedy's leadership.
Among the witnesses was Susan Monarez, the CDC director appointed by Kennedy, who was terminated less than a month into her role. Another key figure, Debra Houry, who served as the chief medical officer at the CDC, resigned after a tenure that spanned six directors across both Republican and Democratic administrations. Their testimonies painted a grim picture of political interference within the agency.
Monarez testified that during a meeting on August 25, Kennedy pressured her to pre-approve all recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), regardless of scientific evidence. She stated, “He demanded that I commit in advance to approving every ACIP recommendation.” Monarez also revealed that Kennedy urged her to dismiss career officials responsible for vaccine policy without justification, which she refused, believing this was the actual reason for her dismissal.
Describing Kennedy’s demeanor during their meeting, Monarez said he was “very upset” and spoke disparagingly about CDC employees, referring to the agency as “the most corrupt federal agency in the world.” She expressed concern that the lack of a permanent CDC director could lead to recommendations that might restrict access to vaccines for children and other vulnerable populations without rigorous scientific review. “The stakes are not theoretical,” she warned, citing the recent largest measles outbreak in over 30 years, which resulted in the deaths of two children.
Monarez further indicated that Kennedy claimed he had the backing of the Trump White House and suggested that significant changes to the childhood vaccine schedule were imminent. “Kennedy told me that the childhood vaccine schedule would be changing starting in September, and I needed to be on board with it,” she testified. This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of vaccine guidelines and the ongoing role of the CDC in public health.
The ACIP, now facing significant changes with Kennedy’s handpicked advisers, is scheduled to meet soon. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana and chair of the committee, called for an indefinite postponement of the ACIP meeting, stating that any recommendations made under the current circumstances should be viewed as lacking legitimacy. He expressed his concerns about the potential repercussions of changing vaccine recommendations, particularly regarding the hepatitis B vaccine administered at birth.
Debra Houry echoed similar sentiments during her testimony, highlighting instances of political interference that compromised the integrity of the CDC. She described how the agency had become a “rubber stamp,” implementing policies not grounded in scientific evidence. “Kennedy censored CDC science, politicized its processes, and stripped leaders of independence,” Houry claimed. Alarmingly, she noted that about 80% of center directors are now acting positions due to a wave of resignations and firings of career officials.
The environment at the CDC has become increasingly dangerous, with staff facing violence and threats. Houry recounted a harrowing incident on August 8, when a shooter fired over 500 rounds at the CDC headquarters, traumatizing staff members. “Kennedy did not call Monarez following the shooting,” she noted, emphasizing the chilling effect such violence has on the agency's ability to function effectively.
Houry also expressed deep concerns about the spread of misinformation regarding vaccines, particularly amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She revealed that she first learned about changes to the CDC’s COVID vaccine guidance through a social media post, rather than from official channels. “CDC scientists have still not seen the scientific data or justification for this change,” she stated, underscoring the chaotic nature of the current vaccine rollout.
As the situation unfolds, both Monarez and Houry are calling for a return to evidence-based practices at the CDC, warning that the future of public health in the US is at risk. Houry concluded, “We are not prepared for pandemics or preventing chronic health diseases, and we’re going to see kids dying from vaccine-preventable diseases.”
Senator Bernie Sanders emphasized that the issue transcends the resignations of Monarez and Houry, framing it as a larger “war on science, public health, and the truth.” He reiterated the importance of vaccines, stating unequivocally, “It is absurd to have to say this in the year 2025, but vaccines are safe and effective.” As the CDC grapples with these accusations and the fallout from political interference, the integrity of public health in America remains a pressing concern.
