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 endangers public health through a series of controversial actions.
The employees signed a letter on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, addressed to Kennedy and members of Congress, demanding his immediate resignation. They cited their oath to serve the American people and argued that Kennedy’s decisions violate that commitment by putting the nation’s health at risk. The letter was sent to key congressional committees, including the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, as well as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Specific grievances include the recent firing of CDC Director Dr. Susan Monarez, which led to the resignations of four other senior CDC officials. Kennedy is accused of facilitating this move due to pressure over vaccine policies, particularly after Monarez refused to sign off on potential new vaccine restrictions. Additionally, employees pointed to Kennedy’s appointment of individuals with vaccine-skeptic views to influential roles, such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which they claim undermines scientific integrity.
In response, HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon defended Kennedy, stating that the CDC has been ‘broken for a long time’ and that reforms are necessary to restore public trust. Nixon emphasized Kennedy’s commitment to evidence-based science and highlighted achievements in fighting chronic diseases, framing the changes as part of an effort to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’
This letter follows a previous appeal from over 750 staffers last month, urging Kennedy to stop spreading inaccurate health information, particularly in the wake of a deadly shooting at the CDC headquarters on August 8. That incident, where a gunman targeted the agency over vaccine grievances, was cited as evidence of the dangerous rhetoric surrounding public health, though HHS has denied any connection between Kennedy’s actions and the violence.
Kennedy has also faced mounting criticism from Congress, with senators like Patty Murray and Bernie Sanders calling for his removal. An op-ed in The New York Times by former CDC directors condemned his leadership, while Kennedy defended his actions in a Wall Street Journal piece, arguing for the need to reform the CDC and eliminate ‘politicized science.’
The employees signed the latest letter in their personal capacity, expressing fear of retaliation, and called on President Trump and Congress to appoint a new secretary if Kennedy refuses to resign. They emphasized that health policy must be informed by unbiased, peer-reviewed science to protect Americans’ well-being.
Looking ahead, Kennedy is scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday, September 4, where these issues are likely to be scrutinized. The ongoing turmoil at HHS highlights deep divisions in public health policy and the challenges of balancing reform with maintaining scientific credibility and public trust.