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Kennedy Family Feud Erupts Over Vaccine Policies
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s controversial testimony before the Senate on Thursday has sparked a public call for his resignation from his own sister, Mary Kerry Kennedy. The demand comes amidst growing turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) following Secretary Kennedy’s attempts to overhaul federal vaccine mandates.
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media, Kerry Kennedy emphasized the proven success of vaccines throughout history, stating, “Vaccines work. This is not up for debate.” She criticized her brother’s leadership, arguing that medical decisions should be left to qualified professionals, not “incompetent misguided leadership.”
Kerry Kennedy’s statement also expressed support for the CDC officials who have resigned in protest of Secretary Kennedy’s actions, particularly the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez after only a month in office. Monarez’s attorneys allege she was dismissed for refusing to approve “unscientific, reckless directives.”
The upheaval at the CDC has drawn bipartisan concern, as Kennedy’s anti-vaccine policies clash with established scientific consensus. His appointment of vaccine skeptics to a key advisory committee, which is set to review childhood immunization recommendations, has further fueled alarm. Several Republican senators have called for congressional oversight, while some Democrats have suggested Kennedy should be fired.
Adding to the controversy is the appointment of Jim O’Neill, a former investment executive with no medical background, to replace Monarez. Two anonymous administration officials confirmed the move, which is expected to be officially announced soon.
Kennedy himself has hinted at further personnel changes at the CDC, stating that there is “a lot of trouble” at the agency and that a change in “institutional culture” is needed. The White House has offered little explanation for Monarez’s dismissal, stating only that she was “not aligned with” President Trump’s agenda. Meanwhile, Monarez’s legal team contends that her dismissal must come directly from the president, who has yet to comment publicly.
The situation escalated Wednesday night with the announcement of Monarez’s firing, prompting the resignations of three senior CDC officials: Dr. Debra Houry, Dr.
Demetre Daskalakis, and Dr. Daniel Jernigan.
Daskalakis expressed fears that “children will be hurt by poor decision making around vaccines,” while Houry revealed that Monarez had been trying to protect the CDC from political interference.
Former CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser corroborated Houry’s account, claiming that Monarez refused to dismiss her management team or automatically approve recommendations from Kennedy’s vaccine advisors. He called Monarez “one of the last lines of defense against this administration’s dangerous agenda.”