President Donald Trump offered measured support for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following his contentious Senate Finance Committee testimony on September 4, 2025, as Kennedy faced mounting calls for his resignation from both political opponents and his own family members.
Trump told ABC News that Kennedy “means very well” and indicated he heard his health secretary performed adequately during the Capitol Hill hearing, though the president acknowledged he did not watch the proceedings. Trump characterized Kennedy as having a different perspective on vaccines, noting that he appreciates the fact that Kennedy offers non-standard viewpoints on health policy.
The hearing occurred amid significant turmoil at the nation’s health agencies, particularly following the Food and Drug Administration’s decision in late August to substantially restrict access to COVID-19 vaccines. The new guidelines limit eligibility to individuals aged 65 and older, or younger Americans with underlying conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from the virus.
Kennedy’s testimony became increasingly heated as he clashed with both Democratic and Republican senators over his management of vaccine policy and recent leadership changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, the committee’s top Democrat, described the United States as being in the midst of a healthcare calamity, citing the recent firing or resignation of most senior CDC leadership.
The controversy centers around Kennedy’s removal of CDC Director Susan Monarez, who had served in the position for only one month before being ousted in late August. Four senior CDC officials subsequently resigned in protest of Kennedy’s actions. During his testimony, Kennedy defended these changes as necessary adjustments to restore the agency’s mission of protecting Americans from infectious diseases.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who had been instrumental in Kennedy’s confirmation, challenged the health secretary during the hearing about effectively denying people access to vaccines. Cassidy has since called for the postponement of upcoming CDC advisory committee meetings until significant oversight is conducted, expressing concerns about the meeting agenda and membership composition.
Kennedy replaced all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in June with his own selections, including individuals who have expressed vaccine-skeptical views. This committee plays a crucial role in making vaccine recommendations that inform insurance coverage and pharmacy policies across the country.
The family criticism intensified following Kennedy’s testimony. Former Representative Joe Kennedy III, the health secretary’s nephew, posted a statement calling his uncle a threat to the health and wellbeing of every American. Kerry Kennedy, one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s siblings, similarly called for his resignation, condemning what she described as the decimation of critical institutions including the National Institutes of Health and the CDC.
More than 1,000 current and former employees of the Health and Human Services Department signed an open letter released on September 3, demanding Kennedy’s resignation. The letter cited concerns that his actions continue to endanger the nation’s health. A related online petition calling for his removal has gathered over 6,000 signatures.
Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general during Trump’s first administration, made his most forceful criticism yet of Kennedy’s policies during a September 6 CNN interview. Adams expressed being flabbergasted by the new FDA restrictions on COVID-19 vaccination eligibility and warned that Kennedy’s actions jeopardize the CDC’s integrity and the health of millions of Americans.
Three former surgeons general from both Democratic and Republican administrations co-authored a bipartisan opinion piece published in USA Today on September 5, expressing grave concerns about the recent turbulence at the CDC. The authors described the situation as not merely a bureaucratic or political issue, but truly a matter of life and death.
Democratic senators on the Finance Committee released a joint statement following Kennedy’s testimony, declaring him unfit to serve and calling for either his resignation or his firing by Trump. The statement was signed by 11 Democratic senators and Independent Bernie Sanders, with only Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island declining to sign while reiterating his opposition to Kennedy’s initial nomination.
Despite the mounting pressure, Trump has maintained his support for Kennedy while acknowledging that vaccine policy represents a challenging position. The president described Kennedy’s vaccine stance as tough during remarks to reporters on September 5, emphasizing the importance of being careful when discussing vaccination requirements and recognizing the incredible effectiveness of certain vaccines.
