RFK Jr.’s Family Calls for His Immediate Resignation/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing calls to resign from his own family after questioning vaccine safety before Congress. His sister Kerry Kennedy and nephew Joe Kennedy III criticized his leadership as dangerous. President Trump publicly broke with Kennedy, affirming vaccines “do work.”
RFK Jr. Family Fallout: Quick Looks
- Kerry Kennedy: Vaccination decisions belong to licensed professionals, not “misguided leadership.”
- Joe Kennedy III: Called his uncle “a threat to every American’s health.”
- Senate Finance Committee hearing: Kennedy grilled for anti-vaccine stance and firing of CDC chief.
- Trump rebukes Kennedy, says vaccines “pure and simple, do work.”
- Bipartisan criticism: Senators alarmed over Kennedy undermining confidence in COVID vaccines.
- CDC turmoil: Kennedy recently ousted director Susan Monarez, sparking concern.
- Family history: Over 50 Kennedys endorsed Joe Biden in 2024 over RFK Jr.’s spoiler campaign.
- Previous rebukes: Four siblings denounced his presidential bid, citing poor judgment.
Deep Look: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Family Backlash and Calls to Resign Over Vaccine Testimony
WASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. came under fire Friday from his own family after casting doubt on the safety of vaccines during Senate testimony, prompting a fresh wave of criticism that threatens his hold on office.
Kennedy’s sister Kerry Kennedy and nephew Joe Kennedy III, both prominent voices in Democratic politics, issued separate public statements demanding his resignation. Their appeals came just hours before President Donald Trump distanced himself from Kennedy’s views and reassured Americans that vaccines are safe and effective.
Family Rebuke
“Medical decisions belong in the hands of trained and licensed professionals, not incompetent and misguided leadership. The decimation of critical institutions like the NIH and CDC will lead to the loss of innocent lives. Enough is enough. Secretary Kennedy must resign.”
Joe Kennedy III, a former Massachusetts congressman, echoed the call:
“My uncle is a threat to the health and well-being of every American. The challenges before us — from disease outbreaks to mental health crises — demand moral clarity, scientific expertise, and leadership rooted in fact. Those values are not present in the Secretary’s office. He must resign.”
Senate Showdown
The pressure followed a tense Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday, where Kennedy was sharply criticized for undermining public trust in modern medicine. Senators questioned his decision to fire CDC Director Susan Monarez and accused him of spreading misinformation by casting doubt on COVID-19 vaccines.
Kennedy has long promoted skepticism about vaccines, views that have drawn bipartisan concern now that he oversees the nation’s top health agencies.
Trump Breaks With His Health Secretary
On Friday, President Trump directly contradicted Kennedy’s position, telling reporters:
“Vaccines, pure and simple, do work. I think those vaccines should be used, otherwise some people are going to catch it and they endanger other people.”
The president’s comments underscored a rare rift within his administration on public health policy, particularly as Trump has recently urged Americans to embrace traditional vaccines like polio.
Family Divisions Not New
This is not the first time RFK Jr. has clashed with his famous political family. During the 2024 presidential campaign, more than 50 Kennedy relatives publicly endorsed Joe Biden, warning that RFK Jr.’s independent bid threatened to split Democratic votes.
Four of his siblings also issued a joint statement condemning his candidacy, saying he “does not share the same values, vision or judgment” as their late father, Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
What’s Next?
Kennedy has not responded to his family’s latest calls for resignation. But the combination of family disavowals, bipartisan congressional criticism, and a public rebuke from Trump leaves his standing as health secretary increasingly tenuous.
The turmoil also adds further instability at the Department of Health and Human Services, already rocked by leadership upheaval at the CDC. With public health challenges mounting, the question is whether Kennedy can survive the growing pressure — or if his tenure will end under the same shadow of controversy that has followed him for years.
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