Health Workers to Kennedy Jr. Resign or We Riot!

Health Workers Demand Kennedy's Resignation Over Anti-Vaccine Policies

A significant wave of dissent has emerged from within the ranks of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with over **1,000 current and former employees** calling for the resignation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This demand, articulated in a strongly worded letter, accuses Kennedy of endangering public health through his anti-vaccine stance and disruptive leadership.

The letter, addressed to members of Congress, paints a concerning picture of turmoil within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alleging that Kennedy's actions have led to instability and the appointment of unqualified individuals to key positions. The group, identifying itself as Save HHS, argues that Kennedy is “**endangering the nation’s health by spreading inaccurate health information.**”

The core issues raised in the letter include:

• Accusations of spreading misinformation: The primary concern revolves around Kennedy's alleged propagation of inaccurate information regarding vaccines, which the signatories believe puts the public at risk.
• Turmoil at the CDC: The letter points to the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and her replacement with an individual perceived as a political loyalist without adequate medical or scientific credentials.
• Resignations of Key Health Officials: The departure of several leading health officials, including Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan, and Debra Houry, are cited as evidence of the unrest within the HHS.
• Appointment of "Political Ideologues": The letter criticizes Kennedy's appointment of individuals with questionable scientific credentials to important advisory roles, particularly concerning vaccine policies.

The discontent isn't limited to internal communications. Just days before the letter's release, nine former CDC officials voiced similar concerns in a New York Times guest essay, describing Kennedy's leadership and the ousting of Monarez as “**unacceptable**” and “**unlike anything we have ever seen.**”

Further fueling the controversy, the FDA recently implemented stricter guidelines regarding the updated COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy then took to social media to suggest the Biden administration's vaccine "mandates" were being rolled back and vaccines would only be available to the highest-risk populations. This post has added to the existing concerns about his approach to public health matters.

The signatories of the letter emphasize their commitment to evidence-based policies, stating, “**Our oath requires us to speak out when the constitution is violated and the American people are put at risk.**” They call for Kennedy's resignation and the appointment of a new health secretary with the appropriate qualifications and experience to ensure that health policy is guided by independent, peer-reviewed science.

The HHS, through its communications director Andrew Nixon, responded by asserting that Kennedy is committed to restoring the CDC as a trusted public health guardian and that he encourages evidence-based decision-making. Nixon stated, "**From his first day in office, he pledged to check his assumptions at the door – and he asked every HHS colleague to do the same.**"

This situation highlights a significant conflict within the nation's public health infrastructure, raising crucial questions about the role of scientific expertise versus political ideology in shaping health policy. The demand for Kennedy's resignation underscores the depth of concern felt by many health professionals regarding the current direction of the HHS.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/03/hhs-letter-rfk-resign-vaccines