President Donald Trump offered measured praise for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing on September 4, 2025, as calls for Kennedy’s resignation mounted from Democrats, health experts, and his own family members.
Trump told reporters that Kennedy “means very well” and indicated he heard his HHS Secretary performed well during the Capitol Hill hearing, though he acknowledged not watching the proceedings himself. The president noted that Kennedy has a different perspective on health issues and expressed appreciation for his unconventional approach to vaccine policy.
The hearing came amid significant upheaval at the nation’s health agencies following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to significantly narrow access to COVID-19 vaccines in late August. The policy change precipitated the removal of CDC Director Susan Monarez after just one month in her position, along with the resignation of four top CDC officials in protest.
During the three-hour hearing, Kennedy faced bipartisan criticism from senators questioning his handling of vaccine policy and agency leadership. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, the committee’s top Democrat, described the United States as being in the midst of a healthcare crisis, attributing the confusion and fear among families to Kennedy and Trump’s approach to vaccines.
Kennedy defended his decisions regarding the CDC shake-up, asserting that the changes were necessary to restore the agency to its proper role as the world’s premier public health organization. He dismissed senators’ concerns as dishonest and accused some of fabricating information to frighten the public.
The new FDA guidance restricts COVID-19 vaccine access to Americans aged 65 and older, or younger individuals with underlying conditions that increase their risk of severe illness. Public health officials and pharmacist groups have expressed concern that this change makes it more difficult for young, healthy people to obtain vaccines and raises questions about insurance coverage and availability.
Kennedy’s management decisions have extended beyond personnel changes. In June, he replaced all 17 sitting members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with his own appointees, including individuals who have expressed vaccine-skeptical views and questioned the safety of mRNA COVID vaccines.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, a physician, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, indicated he had spoken with other Republican caucus members about investigating potential changes Kennedy might make to childhood vaccine recommendations. Cassidy has called for postponing upcoming CDC meetings until significant oversight is conducted, citing serious allegations about meeting agendas and scientific processes.
The calls for Kennedy’s resignation intensified following his testimony. All Democratic senators on the Finance Committee except one signed a statement declaring Kennedy unfit to serve and demanding his resignation or dismissal by Trump. The statement accused Kennedy of endangering American lives, particularly those of children, people with disabilities, and vulnerable populations.
Trump’s former surgeon general Jerome Adams joined the criticism on September 6, telling CNN that the president should fire Kennedy for his dangerous policies. Adams, who served from 2017 to 2021, described Kennedy as putting the nation at risk and endangering America with his vaccine restrictions. Adams co-authored a bipartisan opinion piece with two other former surgeons general expressing grave concerns about Kennedy’s impact on the CDC.
Family members also distanced themselves from Kennedy’s actions. His nephew, former Representative Joe Kennedy III, posted on social media, calling the health secretary a threat to every American’s health and well-being. Kennedy’s sister Kerry Kennedy similarly called for his resignation, criticizing what she described as the decimation of critical institutions like the National Institutes of Health and CDC.
More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees signed an open letter on September 3 demanding Kennedy’s resignation, citing actions they believe endanger the nation’s health. A related petition gained over 6,000 signatures, including 887 from HHS employees.
Kennedy’s tenure has resulted in significant changes to federal health policy, including thousands of layoffs and the restructuring of vaccine guidelines. Medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have expressed lost confidence in CDC leadership under Kennedy’s direction. Several Democratic-led states have begun developing their own vaccine recommendations in response to the federal changes.
Despite the mounting pressure, Trump has maintained his support for Kennedy while acknowledging his health secretary’s controversial positions represent a tough stance on vaccination policy. The White House has not indicated any plans to remove Kennedy from his position.
