HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Signals Staff Changes, Targets Industry Influence
Newly confirmed Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated that he plans to remove certain individuals from his department, particularly those he believes are too closely aligned with the pharmaceutical industry. Speaking on Fox News’s The Ingraham Angle on Thursday night, Kennedy stated that he has a “generic list” of people who may be affected by upcoming personnel changes. “I have a list in my head … we have a generic list of the kind of people that — if you’ve been involved in good science, you have got nothing to worry about,” Kennedy said during the interview. “If you care about public health, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If you’re in there working for the pharmaceutical industry, then I’d say you should move out and work for the pharmaceutical industry. ”His remarks come amid speculation that HHS, which employs approximately 90,000 people across various health agencies, could face significant staff reductions under his leadership. While reports suggest that some employees are bracing for sweeping cuts, Kennedy pushed back against the idea that tens of thousands of jobs would be eliminated. However, he made it clear that he would advocate for some removals. Kennedy pointed to specific examples of personnel he believes should no longer hold positions at HHS. He criticized those involved in previous federal nutrition guidelines and accused some officials of playing a role in what he called the “amyloid plaque scandals”—a controversy that, according to him, misdirected Alzheimer’s research and treatment efforts for two decades.
As one of President Trump’s most recent Cabinet appointments, Kennedy secured confirmation as HHS secretary with a narrow 52-48 vote in the Senate on Thursday. The confirmation vote mostly followed party lines, with Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky being the only member of his party to oppose Kennedy’s appointment. Kennedy’s appointment has been controversial, particularly due to his long history of skepticism toward vaccines. Over the years, he has promoted claims that vaccines are linked to various health conditions, despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. His views have made him a divisive figure within public health circles, raising concerns about the direction he might take HHS. During the Fox News interview, Kennedy was also asked about his stance on abortifacient drugs—medications used to terminate pregnancies. He responded by saying that President Trump has not yet made a final decision on the matter but has tasked him with reviewing the safety of such drugs. “What he’s asked me to do is study the safety and study the safety signals,” Kennedy stated. His response suggests that HHS could play a significant role in shaping future policy on reproductive health under the Trump administration.
The issue of abortion and reproductive rights remains highly contentious, with conservative lawmakers and advocacy groups pushing for stricter regulations while others argue for maintaining or expanding access to reproductive health services. Kennedy’s leadership at HHS is expected to bring major shifts in public health policy, particularly in areas where he has been vocal in the past. His criticism of pharmaceutical companies and federal health guidelines indicates that regulatory and policy changes could be on the horizon. The new secretary’s position on vaccines remains a point of concern among health experts. While he has indicated that he does not oppose all vaccines, his past advocacy against mandatory vaccination policies and his promotion of vaccine-autism theories have alarmed medical professionals and public health officials. Some fear that his leadership could undermine public confidence in vaccine programs and other essential health initiatives. Kennedy’s broader approach to public health will also be closely watched. His comments about re-evaluating past guidelines on nutrition and Alzheimer’s research suggest that he may seek to overturn or significantly revise existing policies. Critics worry that such moves could disrupt scientific progress and create uncertainty in medical research and treatment standards.
Despite these concerns, Kennedy has strong support from many conservatives who view his stance against corporate influence in government as a positive shift. His rhetoric about reducing pharmaceutical industry ties within HHS resonates with those who believe that federal health agencies have been overly influenced by big pharmaceutical companies. As Kennedy begins his tenure at HHS, the coming months will reveal how his policies and personnel decisions will shape the agency’s future. While his remarks indicate a commitment to reform, the extent of his planned changes remains unclear. His leadership is likely to face continued scrutiny from both lawmakers and public health professionals, particularly on issues related to vaccine policy, pharmaceutical regulation, and reproductive health.
With his confirmation now finalized, Kennedy holds a powerful position in shaping national health policy. Whether his tenure will bring meaningful change or significant controversy remains to be seen.
