RFK Jr. Defends Firing CDC Director Amid Senate Calls for Resignation

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended his decision to fire CDC Director Susan Monarez, rejecting her claim that she was pressured to preapprove vaccine recommendations not backed by science. Monarez, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, stated she was ousted for refusing to endorse vaccine policies influenced by Kennedy's handpicked advisory panel, which included individuals with antivaccine views. Kennedy countered that he never pressured her, asserting that Monarez was fired because she admitted she was not a trustworthy person when asked directly. Senators, including Elizabeth Warren, expressed shock and skepticism at Kennedy's shifting explanations, pointing out contradictions such as his previous praise of Monarez as "unimpeachable". The hearing highlighted deep partisan divisions over vaccine policies, with Democrats criticizing Kennedy's approach and some Republicans supporting him despite internal dissent from GOP medical professionals. This conflict unfolds amid broader political battles over public health policy, with some states rejecting immunization mandates and others forming rival vaccine advisory bodies to counter Kennedy's influence.