Six former U.S. surgeons general warned in a Tuesday op-ed that changes made by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are "endangering the health of the nation."
Why it matters: The former officials, who served under both Republicans and Democrats, wrote that they could not ignore the "profound, immediate and unprecedented threat" of his policies.
- The nation's vaccine policies, research funding and federal health workforce and its leadership have been rocked by an onslaught of historic and controversial changes since Kennedy's appointment.
- Meanwhile, Trump has stood by Kennedy despite mounting criticism. Kennedy's allies in the administration believe his "Make America Healthy Again" base will be a critical midterm constituency for the GOP.
Driving the news: The former top doctors — appointed by every president dating back to George H.W. Bush — sounded the alarm over plummeting morale, the prioritization of ideology over science and the fleeing of talent amid rising public health threats.
- "Despite differences in perspectives, we have always been united in an unwavering commitment to science and evidence-based public health," they wrote. "It is that shared principle that led us to this moment."
- The group included Trump's first-term surgeon general, Jerome Adams.
The other side: HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement to Axios that the "same officials who presided over the decline in America's public health are now criticizing the first Secretary to confront it head-on."
- He continued, "We remain committed to restoring trust, reforming broken health systems, and ensuring that every American has access to real choice in their health care."
What they're saying: "Repairing this damage requires a leader who respects scientific integrity and transparency, listens to experts and can restore trust to the federal health apparatus," they wrote. "Instead, Kennedy has become a driving force behind this crisis."
- The former officials condemned Kennedy's "dangerous and discredited" rhetoric about vaccines, "most notoriously" his promotion of the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism.
- They also said he had "repeatedly misrepresented" the risks of mRNA technology and COVID shots.
Catch up quick: In June, Kennedy ousted all 17 members of the expert panel that makes vaccine policy recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- In August, he announced new limits on COVID vaccine eligibility.
- President Trump and RFK Jr. sparked an uproar last month when they speculated about a link between Tylenol and autism — with Trump urging women to "tough it out" — despite inconclusive evidence.
- "Instead of helping pregnant women make informed decisions during a critical period in their lives, Kennedy's decisions risk causing confusion, fear and harm," the surgeons general wrote.
The big picture: The former officials join a growing chorus of public dissent against Kennedy.
- HHS employees, members of the Kennedy family, public health groups and lawmakers have called on him to resign.
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