The Latest: RFK Jr. grilled on anti-vaccine policy in combative Senate hearing
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is before a congressional committee Thursday, where he is facing questions about the turmoil at federal health agencies.
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee has called Kennedy to a hearing about his plans to “Make America Healthy Again.” But the health secretary is being grilled over layoffs and planned budget cuts that detractors say are wrecking the nation’s ability to prevent disease.
Kennedy recently fired Susan Monarez, a longtime government scientist he installed as the CDC director for less than a month, and has sought to reshape the nation’s vaccine policies to match his long-standing suspicions about the safety and effectiveness of long-established shots.
Here’s the latest:
Sen. Tina Smith accuses Kennedy of “blaming school shootings on antidepressants
In response, Kennedy said that Smith was “just making stuff up.”
Kennedy did not say outright in a Fox News interview last week that antidepressants are responsible for school shootings. But he did suggest that they could play a role, saying that the National Institutes of Health is “launching studies on the potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some of the other psychiatric drugs that might be contributing to violence.”
SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Rubio announces additional terrorist designations
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday announced the designation of two ruthless Ecuadorian gangs as terrorist organizations.
Rubio’s announcement against the Los Choneros and Los Lobos criminal groups came during his visit to Ecuador’s capital, Quito. The groups are blamed for the surge in violence across the South American country that began since the pandemic.
Rubio told reporters in a joint press conference with Ecuador’s foreign minister that the designation gives the U.S. “all sorts” of options “to stamp these groups out.”
Rhode Island, Connecticut sue Trump administration for halting work on New England offshore wind farm
The developer of an offshore wind farm that would power 350,000 homes in the two states also said it is suing the Trump administration for stopping the nearly completed Revolution Wind project.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha accused Trump of waging an “all-out assault” on the wind energy industry. The two states and Danish energy company Orsted argue that the administration lacks the legal authority to block the wind project, which is 80% complete.
Interior Department spokesperson Elizabeth Peace declined to comment Thursday.
Revolution Wind is the second major wind project that Trump ordered to stop work. The first, an offshore wind project for New York, was later allowed to resume construction.
Trump’s Fed nominee says he’d keep his White House job even if confirmed by the Senate
Stephen Miran, President Donald Trump’s pick to join the Federal Reserve board, said Thursday that he would remain a White House employee even if the Senate confirms him to fill an unexpired term as a governor for the central bank.
Miran, who was nominated to fill a term set to expire in January, made the disclosure at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
He said he would instead take an “unpaid leave of absence” as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers on the advice of his lawyers and would only resign from the administration if he were nominated for a longer term at the Fed.
▶ Read more about Fed nominee
’When were you lying, sir?’
That’s what Sen. Tina Smith asked Kennedy, contrasting his assertion during confirmation that he wasn’t opposed to vaccines with his statements on a podcast that a safe and effective vaccine did not exist.
“Both things are true,” Kennedy said, attempting to say more before the Minnesota Democrat interrupted him. “No, actually I want you to listen to me,” Smith said, going on to say Kennedy had “stacked” a panel that makes vaccine recommendations.
Trump’s Fed nominee says he’d keep his White House job even if confirmed by the Senate
Stephen Miran, President Donald Trump’s pick to join the Federal Reserve board, said Thursday that he would remain a White House employee even if the Senate confirms him to fill an unexpired term as a governor for the central bank.
Miran, who was nominated to fill a term set to expire in January, made the disclosure at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
He said he would instead take an “unpaid leave of absence” as chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers on the advice of his lawyers and would only resign from the administration if he were nominated for a longer term at the Fed.
Tillis wants clearer answers from Kennedy
How does Kennedy actually feel about Operation Warp Speed? How did he go from supporting his CDC director to firing her less than a month later? Is it true that every American can get a COVID booster if they want it?
Those are some of the questions that senators have repeatedly asked Kennedy throughout the hearing, but Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, still spent his time saying he wants clearer answers from Kennedy or his staff.
Tillis’ line of questioning emphasizes how many contradictions and muddled answers have come out of the hearing. Kennedy has repeatedly denied accusations and said senators were making things up as they grilled him for answers on his health care agenda.
Kennedy says ‘anybody can get the booster’ for COVID-19
While saying that anyone could get a booster shot, Kennedy also acknowledged that access “depends on the state.”
That came during an exchange with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who said Kennedy was contradicting promises made during his confirmation hearings that he wouldn’t restrict vaccine access.
“It’s not recommended for healthy people,” Kennedy went on.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has OK’d new shots from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax, but the approvals came with some new caveats. Until now, the U.S. — following guidance from independent experts who advise the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — has recommended yearly COVID-19 vaccinations for everyone age 6 months and older.
The question of who can get a shot is complicated for many people. The answer may depend on your age, laws and policies in the state where you live, insurance coverage and finding a health care professional who will give you the shot.
Ecuadorian president and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meet in South American country
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa on Thursday thanked Rubio for the U.S. efforts to “actually eliminate any terrorist threat.”
His remark during a meeting with Rubio and Ecuadorian cabinet members came two days after the U.S. military struck a boat in the Caribbean the White House has said was carrying members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, which President Trump declared a terrorist organization earlier this year.
Rubio arrived in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, Wednesday after a stop in Mexico City.
Chicago suburb with processing center prepares for federal immigration operation
Leaders of a Chicago suburb where there’s a federal immigration processing center are telling residents that a Trump administration crackdown could last more than a month.
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said in a recent letter to residents that the suburb will serve as the main processing center for the operation and be open 7 days a week for 45 days.
She cites communication from federal officials. Officials in the village of about 8,000 people declined to elaborate Thursday, saying they’re focused on safety. Department of Homeland Security officials have also requested to use a Naval Station north of the city for logistical support.
Thompson says they’re talking to area businesses about expected protests and traffic disruptions.
Kennedy says no one knows how many Americans died from COVID. Here are the numbers
In an exchange with Sen. Mark Warner about how many Americans have died from COVID-19, Kennedy claimed nobody knows because of a lack of government data.
“I don’t think anybody knows that, because there was so much data chaos coming out of the CDC and there were so many perverse incentives,” he said.
But this data is easily accessible. Approximately 1.2 million Americans have died from the virus, according to both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Worth Health Organization.
Kennedy faces heated questions over limits to updated COVID shots
He deflected questions from Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan about recent changes limiting access to COVID-19 shots for healthy children and adults.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID shots but only for seniors or younger people with underlying health risks. That’s sparked confusion and frustration from some Americans, including parents interested in vaccinating healthy children against the virus.
Many pharmacies are unwilling or legally barred from giving vaccines outside the uses endorsed by the FDA and other federal authorities.
Kennedy said drugmakers did not provide the FDA with studies showing their vaccines significantly benefited healthy children and adults. People can still get a shot with a prescription from their doctor, Kennedy added.
Memos released by the FDA last week show the agency’s top vaccine regulator, a Kennedy ally, overruled his staff in placing limits on COVID vaccines.
While opposed by many U.S. medical groups, the narrower criteria for seasonal shots mirrors many countries in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
Cassidy, eyeing reelection, walks a fine line in questioning Kennedy
Sen. Bill Cassidy tried to strike a balance between his support for President Trump and his medical ideals. He praised Trump’s handing of COVID while suggesting Kennedy is making it more difficult for Americans to receive the vaccine.
The Louisiana Republican is already facing a crowded GOP primary field in his 2026 reelection bid. And after placing a key vote for Kennedy’s nomination, his questions were under particular scrutiny.
Cassidy, also a medical doctor, asked about Kennedy’s anti-vaccination stances. He also asked about members Kennedy has named to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunizations who’ve testified as expert witnesses in lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies who developed the COVID vaccine.
“I would say you seem more interested in settlements than science,” Cassidy said, ending his time with Kennedy by saying, “Effectively, you are denying people vaccines.”
Trump in ‘Coalition of Willing’ call tells Europe’s leaders to stop buying Russian oil, go after China
French President Emmanuel Macron and European leaders dialed up Trump after their hybrid talks on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.
Trump during Thursday’s call told the leaders that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that’s funding the war, stressing Russia received €1.1 billion in fuel sales from the EU in one year, according to a White House official.
Trump also emphasized that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts, according to the official, who wasn’t authorized to comment publicly about the private talks and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Macron said Thursday following the meeting that 26 of Ukraine’s allies have pledged to deploy troops as a “reassurance force” for the war-torn country once fighting ends in the conflict with Russia.
-Aamer Madhani
Republican senator and surgeon: ‘I’ve grown deeply concerned’
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, an orthopedic surgeon, said he has “grown deeply concerned” that trust in vaccines could be in jeopardy under Kennedy’s leadership.
“If we’re going to make America healthy again, we can’t allow public health to be undermined,” he told Kennedy. “I’m a doctor. Vaccines work.”
Kennedy told Barrasso that Americans have lost faith in the CDC and pledged to make health recommendations “clear, evidence-based and trustworthy.”
Kennedy tells Hassan she’s ‘just making stuff up’
That’s what Kennedy told Sen. Maggie Hassan repeatedly after she accused him of restricting COVID-19 vaccines, while having applauded their initial development.
Over and over, Kennedy decried Hassan’s questions as “crazy talk” as the New Hampshire Democrat asked about why he “acted behind closed doors to overrule scientists” on vaccine access.
Last month, U.S. regulators approved updated COVID-19 shots but limited their use for many Americans — and removed one of the two vaccines available for young children. The new restrictions are a break from the previous U.S. policy, which recommended an annual COVID-19 shot for all Americans 6 months and up.
Kennedy’s past association with Jeffrey Epstein questioned
Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell asked Kennedy, who’s said he flew on the now-disgraced financier’s plane, what he thought about victims of Epstein who appeared on the steps of the Capitol this week to call for greater transparency into Epstein’s operation and demise.
“I don’t know about any women on the steps,” Kennedy told Cantwell, who tied critiques of the health secretary’s decision-making to his ties to Epstein, and called Kennedy a “charlatan.”
Earlier in the hearing, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon criticized Kennedy for claiming he was “a protector of children” even though the secretary had said he had flown on Epstein’s plane “on multiple occasions.”
Kennedy touts ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine as COVID-19 ‘therapeutics’
During his exchange with Cassidy, Kennedy noted that Trump pushed development of the COVID-19 vaccine, but said he also “promoted therapeutics like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.”
The unproven treatments soared in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, largely among those skeptical of vaccines.
Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug. Trump said he took hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, to try to prevent COVID-19.
In repeated tests, neither drug has been shown to effectively prevent or treat COVID-19.
The District of Columbia sues over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard
The District of Columbia on Thursday sued to stop Trump’s deployment of the National Guard during law enforcement intervention in Washington.
The city’s attorney general, Brian Schwalb, said the hundreds of troops are essentially an “involuntary military occupation.” He argued in the federal lawsuit that the deployment is an illegal use of the military for domestic law enforcement.
A federal judge in California recently ruled that Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles after days of protests over immigration raids in June was illegal. The Republican administration is appealing that decision and Trump has said he is ready to order federal intervention in Chicago and Baltimore, despite staunch opposition in those Democrat-led cities.
That ruling, however, does not directly apply to Washington, where the president has more control over the Guard than in states.
▶ Read more about the Washington, D.C., lawsuit
Bennet and Kennedy engage in yelling match over upcoming vaccine recommendation review
Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, a Democrat, called attention to Kennedy’s appointments to a CDC vaccine advisory panel, many of whom have criticized vaccines and spread misinformation. The panel is scheduled for an upcoming review of recommendations for a series of common childhood vaccines.
“Should parents and schools in Colorado be prepared for more measles outbreaks as a result of that? How about more mumps outbreaks?” Bennet asked.
Kennedy said he didn’t anticipate a change to recommendations for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine but said he thinks parents should be able to “make their own choices.”
The back-and-forth soon escalated into verbal warfare, with Kennedy and Bennet screaming questions at each other and accusing the other of failing to answer.
“I’m asking the questions,” Bennet screamed. “This is not a podcast. It is the American people’s health that is on the line here.”
Cassidy says he’s approaching Kennedy questioning ‘as a doctor, not as a senator’
The Louisiana Republican opened by saying he felt Trump deserves a Nobel prize for Operation Warp Speed, then said Kennedy’s cancellation of $500 million in contracts related to the MRNA vaccine platform “seems inconsistent.”
Cassidy, who voted for Kennedy’s confirmation but admitted his skepticism of his qualifications at the time, requested his questioning time back as Kennedy repeatedly interrupted him.
Kennedy defends rural health care hospital effects in Republicans’ signature tax law. Here are the facts
“These institutions are not just delivering health access to rural Americans’ economic centers or cultural centers, those communities are often the largest employer,” Kennedy told Sen. Mike Crapo.
The HHS secretary responded that as a result of the Republicans’ signature tax and spending law “we’re infusing more than 50% increase in the amount of money that is going to rural communities,” calling it a significant investment.
Crapo contended the bill increased funding for rural hospitals.
The facts are more complicated.
Nonpartisan estimates say roughly 10 million people are expected to lose health insurance from the legislation. Most of those will lose Medicaid.
That will leave many hospitals with patients who can’t afford to pay for emergency services. The changes are expected to disproportionately impact rural areas, where as many as 1 in 4 Americans rely on Medicaid to pay for health insurance, particularly hard.
Wyden and Kennedy go into overtime
Wyden’s questioning of Kennedy went over the Democrat’s allotted time and had to be gaveled out by the panel’s chairman.
Wyden and Kennedy got into a heated exchange after the senator said the secretary “stacked the deck” of a vaccines committee, replacing scientists with “vaccine skeptics and conspiracy theorists.” Kennedy said his actions “got rid of the conflicts of interests” he said had pervaded such panels.
Kennedy also said he had support from scientists and doctors “all over the country.” Many of the nation’s leading public health and medical societies, including the American Medical Association, American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have decried Kennedy’s policies and warn they’ll drive up rates of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Kennedy claims people at the CDC ‘did not do their job’
Speaking on recent firings at the CDC, Kennedy called attention to a concern he often talks about — the chronic disease epidemic.
“That’s why we have to fire people at the CDC,” he said. “They did not do their job.”
He accused the recently ousted director Susan Monarez of lying in her Wall Street Journal op-ed on Thursday when she said she was pressured to preapprove the recommendations of his vaccine advisory panel.
Kennedy calls for ‘new blood’ at the CDC
Toward the end of his opening remarks, Kennedy said he wanted to address “the recent shakeups at CDC,” personnel changes he called “absolutely necessary adjustments to restore the agency to its role as the world’s gold standard.”
Kennedy went on to describe COVID-19-era recommendations and policies he said were implemented “with no science and heightened economic inequality,” like school closures.
Last week, the Trump administration fired the agency’s director Susan Monarez. Several top CDC leaders resigned in protest, leaving the agency in turmoil.
A protestor decried Kennedy’s vaccine stances during the hearing
Just as Kennedy first mentioned vaccine safety standards during his opening remarks, a protestor in a wheelchair shouted at the secretary and challenged whether he understood current policy and research surrounding vaccine safety.
“You’re killing billions of people,” the protestor shouted at the back of the room as they were escorted out by Capitol Police.
Sen. Mike Crapo, the Finance Committee’s chair, warned other attendees from speaking out and disrupting order after the protestor’s removal.
As HHS Secretary, Kennedy has made a a string of decisions that have put the longtime vaccine critic’s doubts about shots into full effect at the nation’s health department.
Wyden tried – and failed – to force a formal swearing-in for Kennedy
As the hearing began, Wyden asked to have Kennedy formally sworn in as a witness, defying tradition, saying the HHS secretary has a history of lying to the Senate Finance Committee.
For example, Wyden said, Kennedy promised he would “do nothing as HHS secretary that makes it difficult or discourages people from taking vaccines.” But under Kennedy, U.S. regulators have limited the availability of COVID-19 vaccines for many Americans.
Crapo denied Wyden’s request, saying despite partisan disagreements among the senators on the committee, “the bottom line is we will let the secretary make his own case.”
Kennedy makes remarks on Georgia officer killed in CDC shooting
Kennedy opened his remarks by expressing condolences for the family of David Rose, a law enforcement officer killed during the Aug. 8 shooting at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta.
A man opened fire outside the agency headquarters, leaving bullet marks in windows across the sprawling campus and killing Rose before being found dead in a nearby building.
Kennedy said he visited with Rose’s family and said he “remains in our prayers.”
Zelenskyy and European leaders hold call with Trump
European leaders took part in a hybrid “Coalition of the Willing” meeting about Ukraine on Thursday and then held a phone call afterward with Trump to update him on their work.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also took part in the call with Trump, according to a person familiar with planning for the call who was not authorized to comment publicly.
“They expressed the hope that the United States would continue to make a substantial contribution to the joint efforts to support Ukraine, formulate security guarantees, and shape a productive diplomatic process,” German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said in a statement following the meeting, which German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended virtually.
Merz laid out three “areas of action,” including working toward a summit Zelenskyy would also participate in, and “a ceasefire must be agreed there.”
The White House did not offer any immediate comment.
— Jamey Keaten and Aamer Madhani
Wyden challenges GOP colleagues on their support of Kennedy
The Oregon Democrat asked his Republican Senate colleagues, “What line must Robert Kennedy cross before some of you will also join this alarm?”
Seeking that Kennedy step down, alternatively Wyden called on Trump to “fire him before more people are hurt.”
The hearing has begun
Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said each senator will get five minutes to question Kennedy. He said he expects a “spirited debate.”
That started right away. While Crapo touted the administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, the Democratic ranking member, Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, argued Kennedy has prioritized “elevating junk science and fringe conspiracies.”
After entering hearing room, Kennedy greets senators, including Republican Bill Cassidy
Before taking his seat, Kennedy briefly greeted the assembled senators, including Cassidy, a physician eyeing reelection.
The Louisiana Republican’s support was critical to Kennedy’s confirmation, but the two-term senator did publicly express concern about his anti-vaccination positions before voting to confirm Kennedy. This week, Cassidy said he wanted to “carefully frame” his questions to Kennedy at Thursday’s hearing.
Former CDC director Susan Monarez speaks out after her firing
The longtime government scientist who ran afoul of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. penned a Wall Street Journal op-ed published Thursday in which she raises concerns about the way ahead for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention following her ouster.
“Public health shouldn’t be partisan. Vaccines have saved millions of lives under administrations of both parties,” Monarez writes. “I was fired for holding that line. But the line doesn’t disappear with me. It runs through every parent deciding whether to vaccinate a child, every physician counseling patients, and every American who demands accountability.”
Monarez was fired and replaced on an acting basis by Kennedy’s top deputy, Jim O’Neill.
The White House said Monarez, who served for only 29 days, was “not aligned with” Trump’s agenda. Monarez’s lawyers said she refused “to rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives and fire dedicated health experts.”
By The Associated Press
