Multiple members of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family have publicly called for his resignation as Secretary of Health and Human Services following a contentious congressional hearing on September 4, 2025, where he defended controversial decisions regarding vaccine policies and federal health agencies.
Kerry Kennedy, Kennedy’s sister, and Joseph P. Kennedy III, his nephew, issued separate statements on September 5 demanding his resignation. Joseph P. Kennedy III declared that his uncle represents a threat to the health and well-being of every American, stating that none will be spared the pain he is inflicting. The former congressman criticized Kennedy for dismissing science, misleading the public, sidelining experts and sowing confusion during his testimony.
Kerry Kennedy emphasized that “medical decisions belong in the hands of trained and licensed professionals, not incompetent and misguided leadership.” She cautioned that dismantling vital institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would cost innocent lives, warning that Americans face an unprecedented level of danger today.
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, also criticized his relative during the hearing, calling Kennedy a loser on social media and later endorsing his cousin’s resignation statement. Schlossberg characterized Kennedy as a threat to public health and American scientific leadership.
The family criticism followed Kennedy’s three-hour appearance before the Senate Finance Committee, where he faced bipartisan questioning about his leadership of federal health agencies. During the hearing, Kennedy defended his decision to remove CDC Director Susan Monarez from her position after she had served for approximately one month. Kennedy claimed he asked Monarez if she was trustworthy and she responded negatively, though her lawyers disputed this account.
Monarez’s removal prompted three senior leaders from the agency to resign in protest. Her legal representatives stated she refused to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts. Kennedy indicated at a press conference in Texas that significant changes were needed at the CDC to alter the institutional culture.
Democratic senators on the Finance Committee released a joint statement following the testimony, describing Kennedy as unfit to serve in his role. Nearly all Democratic committee members signed the letter, including Ron Wyden of Oregon, Michael Bennet of Colorado, Mark Warner of Virginia, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Peter Welch of Vermont, and Maria Cantwell of Washington. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, also signed the statement.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island was the only committee Democrat who did not sign the letter, though he reiterated his opposition to Kennedy’s nomination. Senator Patty Murray of Washington separately called for Kennedy’s termination, expressing concern about his mission to destroy public health institutions.
More than 1,000 current and former employees of the Department of Health and Human Services signed an open letter on September 3 calling for Kennedy’s resignation, citing actions that endanger the nation’s health. A related online petition gained over 6,000 signatures, including 887 from HHS employees.
While some Republican senators expressed frustration with Kennedy’s actions, none have called for his resignation. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana criticized Kennedy for canceling mRNA vaccine research and development contracts. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina questioned how Kennedy’s opinion of Monarez shifted from calling her unimpeachable to untrustworthy. Wyoming Senator John Barrasso expressed deep concern that Kennedy was not upholding promised standards for vaccines.
Kennedy has spent seven months implementing significant changes to federal health agencies, including thousands of layoffs and revisions to vaccine guidelines. These actions have prompted medical groups and officials in Democratic-led states to issue their own vaccine recommendations. The longtime anti-vaccine movement leader has elevated his once-marginal views to prominent positions within America’s public health system.
This family opposition represents a continuation of previous criticism from Kennedy relatives, who had previously objected to his presidential campaign and written to senators urging rejection of his health secretary nomination due to his controversial vaccine positions.
