Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Lied to Congress

he is jeopardizing lives with his deluded fantasy of improved public health

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assured the Senate that he would not interfere in the public’s right to secure vaccines. He lied. He has taken several steps to end public-private partnerships in the vaccine development area. He promised no major changes at HHS and FDA. He lied.

HHS started laying off employees at around 5 am this morning, after some of them had already left to go to work. Also, two FDA leaders are gone: Peter Stein, director of the office of new drugs, and Brian King, director of the tobacco center. This after Peter Marks, the vaccine head, was forced out. Marks wrote a blistering letter essentially saying that, among other things, Kennedy had no regard for science.

What has this dangerous and deluded man done and planned since taking office? Here is a partial list:

-He began by firing thousands of people, with the help of DOGE. Many of those employees were essential, and some were hired back when it was realized that they were needed.

-Specifically, Kennedy announced plans to cut 10,000 jobs across agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH, aiming to “streamline operations” and eliminate perceived “bureaucratic inefficiencies.” This followed earlier voluntary departures and firings, including high-profile resignations from FDA leadership.

-Many of those employees were essential, and some were hired back when it was realized that they were needed.

-After dismissing vaccine advisers, he began hiring vaccine skeptics who shared his insane views.

-One of Kennedy’s first moves as HHS chief was a series of orders erasing language on transgender and non-binary people within health care policy and rescinding guidance on civil rights protections tied to gender-affirming care — culture-war issues that were driven by Trump and supported by Kennedy.

-Kennedy’s underlings have sought to recruit more allies to shore up his team; Vinay Prasad, a health researcher known for his vocal opposition to elements of the Covid response, is among those who have been in talks about a senior role somewhere in the health department.

-Agencies like the FDA, CDC, and NIH are losing thousands of staff, including people jn roles critical to food and drug safety, disease monitoring, and medical research. For example, the FDA is cutting 3,500 positions, which may hinder inspections and safety. Vital drug and device approvals will be delayed for months or even years.

-Many staff members and even agency leaders report being left in the dark about the restructuring process, leading to confusion and low morale. Key decisions are being made without proper consultation with experts.

-The CDC is narrowing its scope to epidemic preparedness while cutting programs like global health and domestic HIV prevention. This shift could weaken broader public health efforts.

-With fewer personnel, agencies like the CDC will struggle to monitor and track emerging diseases effectively, delaying early detection and response to outbreaks.

-The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is being absorbed into the CDC with fewer staff, which could hinder disaster management and public health emergencies.

-Experts warn that the layoffs leave the system short-staffed, potentially compromising the ability to respond swiftly to pandemics, natural disasters, or other emergencies. This is particularly concerning as hurricane season approaches.

This is a disaster in the making. Robert Kennedy is a disgrace to his family and a blot on their decades of public service. Trump has no intention of stopping him because MAGA hates vaccines and has no confidence in public health authorities. He has an open field to conduct a virtual laboratory experiment designed to prove that insanity is an effective substitute for sound science and decades of public health research and experience,

Kennedy has serious emotional and mental problems and is unfit to lead an agency of this importance. The question is what happens when the first crisis hits. We cannot afford to find out. In many respects, he is as dangerous as Pete Hegseth. And that should be a warning to every American, as though we needed more to worry about.