Politics
Democratic lawmakers call for criminal inquiry into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Newly released documents obtained through FOIA requests prompted calls for an investigation into whether Kennedy misled Congress regarding a 2019 trip to Samoa.
The short version
- Senator Ron Wyden and watchdog group American Oversight called for a criminal investigation into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his Senate confirmation testimony.
- Newly obtained letters indicate Kennedy expressed intent to study the MMR vaccine in Samoa in 2019, contradicting his testimony that the visit had nothing to do with vaccines.
- The Department of Health and Human Services denied the allegations, stating claims that Kennedy lied to Congress are false and defamatory.
- Several Democratic officials have called for Kennedy's resignation, though legal experts note a prosecution by the current Justice Department is unlikely.
Key facts
- Senator Ron Wyden stated he will press Senate leadership for a criminal referral to the Department of Justice regarding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony.[The Guardian]
- Letters obtained by news organizations show Kennedy told the Samoan prime minister in 2019 that he wanted to study the MMR vaccine, despite testifying during confirmation hearings that the trip was unrelated to vaccines.[The Guardian]
- Watchdog group American Oversight requested that the Justice Department investigate whether Kennedy violated federal law by making false statements to Congress.[The Guardian]
- The Department of Health and Human Services maintained that Kennedy's 2019 trip was unrelated to vaccines and called accusations that he lied defamatory.[The Guardian]
- Senators Ed Markey and Angela Alsobrooks, along with Hawaii Governor Josh Green, called for Kennedy to resign or be removed from office.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- It is uncertain whether the Justice Department will open an investigation or pursue charges against Kennedy, as legal experts view executive branch prosecution under the current administration as unlikely.[The Guardian]