HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Fires Vaccine Advisory Panel, Pledges Autism Link Study

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has openly criticized the vaccine approval process, calling it rife with "perverse incentives" driven by pharmaceutical profits and accusing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of agency capture and suppressing vaccine safety concerns. Kennedy defended his controversial decision to fire all 17 members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, labeling the committee a rubber stamp for vaccine approvals influenced by industry interests. He highlighted alleged cover-ups, such as the CDC burying an internal study that showed a significant increase in autism risk linked to the hepatitis B vaccine, and claimed that vaccine safety studies, especially concerning autism, have been insufficient or manipulated. Kennedy also expressed a commitment to conducting "real science" to investigate the potential vaccine-autism link, challenging mainstream scientific consensus. Separately, Kennedy revealed a surprising personal perspective on President Donald Trump, describing him as a deeply empathetic, curious, and multi-dimensional leader, contrary to prior perceptions of Trump as a narcissist. He praised Trump's emotional depth, particularly his empathy for war casualties and the impact of policies on ordinary people, portraying Trump as the opposite of the negative image often portrayed by Democrats.