Washington, August 30(HS): The White House has publicly defended Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after a turbulent week at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) saw key leadership upheavals and growing bipartisan calls for his removal. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller lauded Kennedy as a crown jewel of this administration and praised his efforts to restore the CDC’s credibility and integrity.

The crisis unfolded following the dismissal of CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez for allegedly misaligning with presidential priorities, replaced by Kennedy’s deputy Jim O’Neill. Subsequently, at least three senior CDC officials resigned in protest against Kennedy’s controversial vaccine policies and leadership style. Critics, including former CDC officials and numerous lawmakers, warn that Kennedy’s tenure—marked by funding cuts, anti-vaccine rhetoric, and a lack of medical qualification—threatens the CDC’s scientific rigour and public health mission.

Democratic Senators, including Chuck Schumer and Jon Ossoff, have demanded Kennedy’s resignation, branding him a quack, while some Republicans have expressed concern over the agency’s instability and called for congressional oversight. Kennedy, who does not hold a medical degree and previously allied with anti-vaccine groups, penned a letter to CDC staff reaffirming his commitment to rebuilding public trust and positioning the agency as a guardian of America’s health and security.

Amid deepening institutional discord and high-profile departures, the CDC faces mounting challenges in maintaining its essential role in outbreak response and immunization oversight.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar