WASHINGTON, D.C. – Newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a barrage of criticism from Senate Democrats during a contentious Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, September 4th, 2025.
Kennedy, a controversial pick by President Donald Trump, was called to defend his recent shake-up of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and his proposed reforms to the nation’s COVID-19 vaccine policies. The hearing quickly turned confrontational, with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) leading the charge, accusing the Secretary of endangering public health and maintaining overly cozy ties with pharmaceutical interests.
In his defense, Kennedy argued that his policies are a necessary shift to address America’s chronic disease epidemic, which he stated affects 76% of the population. He positioned himself as a reformer fighting corruption within the health agencies and vowed to reorient the nation’s focus toward preventive care rather than what he called a profit-driven treatment model.
The political firestorm has been intensified by reports of internal staff protests within HHS. Multiple Democratic senators pointed to this internal dissent, labeling Kennedy unfit for office and demanding his immediate resignation.
Despite the fierce opposition, Kennedy retains support from the administration’s base. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk voiced strong backing on social media, posting, “Ignore the geriatric haters in the US Senate. Sec. Kennedy is advancing the people’s agenda and We The People have his back 100%.”
The hearing places a intense spotlight on President Trump’s health agenda, signaling a continued battle over the direction of America’s public health policy.
