More than 1,000 current and former employees of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have called for the resignation of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alleging that his leadership has jeopardized public health and compromised the nation’s well-being.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, a coalition of over 1,000 individuals, including both current and former HHS staff, submitted a formal letter to Secretary Kennedy and members of Congress. The letter demands his immediate resignation, citing a series of actions that they believe have put American health at risk, such as the recent firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez and subsequent resignations of key officials.
The employees detailed specific grievances, including Kennedy’s appointment of political ideologues to influential roles in vaccine policy and the rescinding of emergency use authorizations for Covid-19 vaccines without adequate scientific justification. They argue that these decisions undermine evidence-based health policy and prioritize partisan interests over public safety.
This latest action builds on previous efforts from August, when hundreds of HHS staffers wrote to Kennedy following a shooting at the CDC headquarters, urging him to stop spreading inaccurate health information and ensure workforce safety. The current letter, organized by the group Save HHS, has garnered additional signatures, reflecting growing internal dissent.
In response to earlier criticisms, an HHS spokesperson accused detractors of politicizing tragedies, while Kennedy defended his actions in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, claiming he is restoring trust in the CDC by eliminating conflicts of interest and bureaucratic complacency. However, the employees emphasize that their concerns are rooted in a commitment to unbiased science.
External pressure on Kennedy is mounting, with several members of Congress, including Senators Patty Murray and Bernie Sanders, calling for his resignation or removal due to his controversial stance on vaccines and management style. Senator Bill Cassidy has also called for oversight of CDC operations, highlighting the broader political implications.
Looking ahead, Kennedy is scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday, where he may face further scrutiny over these issues. The employees’ letter underscores the urgent need for leadership that prioritizes health policy informed by independent, peer-reviewed science to safeguard Americans’ well-being.
