More than 1,000 HHS workers call for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation
Open letter accuses Kennedy's vaccine policies of endangering Americans and follows criticisms from former CDC officials over removal of agency director
More than 1,000 past and present Department of Health and Human Services staffers called Wednesday for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, saying in an open letter that his vaccine policies have endangered the lives of Americans.
The letter, posted on the Save HHS website and signed by 1,040 current and former HHS employees, said signatories had "sworn an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution and to serve the American people." It continued, "Our oath requires us to speak out when the Constitution is violated and the American people are put at risk," and added, "Thus, we warn the President, Congress, and the Public that Secretary Kennedy’s actions are compromising the health of this nation, and we demand Secretary Kennedy’s resignation."
The appeal from HHS staffers came two days after a group of former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials published an opinion piece in The New York Times sharply criticizing Kennedy's leadership and what they described as the "unacceptable" ousting of former CDC Director Susan Monarez. The former officials wrote that Kennedy's conduct was "unlike anything we had ever seen," elevating concerns about the department's direction.
Monarez, a trained microbiologist and immunologist, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in July. During her confirmation hearing a month earlier, she said her top priority as CDC director would be restoring public trust in the agency.
The HHS letter cited vaccine policy as a primary concern but did not lay out specific administrative actions beyond calling for Kennedy's resignation and warning federal leaders and the public that current policies pose a danger. The Save HHS statement brought together a broad cohort of agency employees and alumni who said their professional responsibilities compelled them to speak out.
A spokesperson for HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Officials at the White House also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The public letter joins a string of public critiques from former federal health officials and watchdogs that have intensified scrutiny of the department's leadership. The dispute highlights tensions within the federal public health apparatus over messaging, policy direction and the stewardship of agencies charged with responding to health threats.
The complaints from current and former employees underscore the potential for internal dissent to become a public controversy, putting pressure on elected officials and lawmakers to consider oversight or other responses. Congressional attention to the department's leadership and policies may increase as criticism mounts, though lawmakers have not yet announced formal inquiries tied to the letter.
The situation presents a test for the Biden administration and for agencies that play central roles in vaccine policy, disease surveillance and public health guidance. How the administration and HHS respond to the letter and to calls from former CDC officials could shape agency operations and public confidence in coming months.