White House Stands by Health Secretary Amid CDC Leadership Crisis

Sun Sep 14 2025 03:03:49 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Biden administration defends Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following rising tensions at the CDC, including resignations and calls for his dismissal.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller praised Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amidst growing discontent within the CDC, where key leaders have resigned in protest of his leadership and vaccine policies. The administration emphasizes Kennedy's commitment to enhancing CDC credibility, despite concerns from within public health circles regarding potential lapses in vaccine oversight.

The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a chaotic week at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) led to calls for his removal. On Friday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled Kennedy, also known as RFK Jr., 'a crown jewel of this administration.'

Earlier this week, CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez was fired for being 'not aligned with the president's agenda,' with RFK Jr's deputy, Jim O'Neill, stepping in as her replacement. This leadership shake-up has prompted at least three senior CDC leaders to resign in protest over Kennedy's direction and vaccine policy.

Miller described Kennedy as 'one of the world's foremost voices on public health,' asserting that he is working diligently to restore the CDC's integrity. Despite Kennedy's lack of a medical degree—having a background in law prior to his appointment—administration officials maintain confidence in his capacity to oversee critical health concerns.

The fallout follows the CDC's recent decision to permanently terminate 600 employees, significantly impacting efforts on infectious diseases and environmental safety. Critics argue these layoffs compromise the CDC’s functionality and threaten health outcomes, particularly concerning the enforcement of vaccination schedules critical for public health.

Frustrations escalated within the agency as Kennedy implemented funding cuts and regulatory shifts viewed as undermining established public health tenets. Respected figures from the health community have voiced their fears regarding the implications of Kennedy's policies, warning they might exacerbate outbreaks of preventable diseases.

Calls for Kennedy's resignation have emerged across party lines, with Senator Chuck Schumer labeling him a 'quack' and urging Trump to retract his nomination of Kennedy. Meanwhile, some Republicans have echoed concerns, prompting discussions of a congressional hearing to scrutinize the state of the CDC.

In an effort to address the turmoil, Kennedy has reached out to CDC employees in an open letter expressing his commitment to restoring trust and transparency within the agency, aiming to reposition the CDC as a guardian of the nation’s health.