Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams is calling for the immediate removal of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., warning that Kennedy’s controversial approach to vaccine approvals and public health policies is putting the nation at risk.
In a CNN interview with Victor Blackwell, Adams said he believes Donald Trump should fire Robert Kennedy Jr., citing the secretary’s growing influence over vaccine policy, his strained relationship with federal health agencies, and his rejection of key scientific data.
“I absolutely believe that he should [fire Kennedy] for the sake of the nation and the sake of his legacy,” Adams told Blackwell.
Adams Warns of National Risk Under Kennedy’s Leadership
Adams, who served as the nation’s top doctor under President Trump during the coronavirus pandemic, did not mince words. He said Kennedy is “uniquely damaging the credibility” of institutions such as the CDC, FDA, and NIH.
“I’m deeply concerned about the health and safety of our nation under RFK’s current leadership,” Adams explained. “He’s putting us at risk.”
His remarks come after a tense congressional hearing on Capitol Hill, where Kennedy defended his decisions to overhaul the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to restrict access to updated COVID-19 vaccines.
Vaccine Policy Sparks Bipartisan Criticism
Kennedy has pushed for what he describes as “necessary adjustments” to restore the CDC’s reputation as the world’s “gold standard” in public health. However, both Republicans and Democrats expressed frustration over his handling of vaccine approvals.
Senator Elizabeth Warren challenged Kennedy over the FDA’s decision—made under his watch—to approve updated COVID-19 vaccines only for a narrow group of Americans, effectively denying access to millions who wanted them.
Kennedy pushed back, saying:
“I’m not going to recommend a product for which there’s no clinical data for that indication. Is that what I should be doing?”
His comments have reignited debates over vaccine safety, scientific evidence, and government oversight, fueling further controversy over his leadership.
Trump Caught Between Support and Skepticism
Despite the backlash, former President Donald Trump praised Kennedy after the hearing, telling reporters he “did very well.” Yet, just one day later, Trump appeared to distance himself from Kennedy’s influence when discussing Florida’s recent decision to eliminate school vaccine requirements.
“I think you have to be very careful when you say that some people don’t have to be vaccinated,” Trump said. “You have vaccines that work, they just pure and simple work.”
Trump’s remarks suggest growing tension between his pro-vaccine stance—at least on traditional vaccines like measles, mumps, and rubella—and Kennedy’s more skeptical approach.
Adams Criticizes Trump’s Reliance on Kennedy
What worries Adams most is Trump’s apparent willingness to defer to Kennedy on health policy.
“I’m just flabbergasted, to be honest, that he seems to have President Trump in a thrall,” Adams said. “President Trump is clearly the leader on foreign policy, clearly the leader on the economy and tariffs. But when it comes to health, he’s doing whatever RFK says.”
Adams warned that if Trump does not act soon, his legacy on public health could be permanently damaged.
“I still am hopeful that President Trump will begin to see the danger that is being presented—not just to America, but to his own legacy—by continuing to have RFK in this position, making these horrific decisions,” Adams said.
What’s Next for U.S. Health Policy?
The clash between Adams and Kennedy underscores a broader struggle over the future of U.S. health policy, particularly around COVID-19 vaccines, school immunization requirements, and federal health agency authority.
With the 2025 election cycle approaching, vaccine safety and federal leadership on public health are shaping up to be central issues. Trump faces mounting pressure to clarify his stance, not just on Kennedy’s leadership but on how his administration will handle future pandemics, vaccine rollouts, and CDC credibility.
Key Takeaways:
Dr. Jerome Adams is urging Trump to fire HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine controversies.
Adams says Kennedy is damaging the credibility of the CDC, FDA, and NIH.
Kennedy defends limiting access to updated COVID-19 vaccines, sparking bipartisan criticism.
Trump praised Kennedy but later reaffirmed his support for traditional vaccines.
Adams warns Trump’s legacy is at risk if he continues to rely on Kennedy for health policy.
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