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By Kate Plummer and Shane Croucher
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A House Democrat said she had introduced articles of impeachment against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a move unlikely to succeed under the current Republican majority.
"RFK Jr. has turned his back on science and the safety of the American people," said Representative Haley Stevens, the Michigan Democrat moving to impeach Kennedy Jr, in a statement posted to X.
The impeachment effort isn't likely to succeed given the Republicans have a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Stevens is running for the U.S. Senate in her home state.
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"Secretary Kennedy remains focused on improving Americans’ health and lowering costs, not on partisan theatrics designed to elevate standing in a failing, third-rate Senate bid," said Andrew Nixon, HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications, in a statement sent to Newsweek.
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Why It Matters
Kennedy, who assumed the HHS leadership role in February, has sparked controversy for some of his decisions.
The Centers for Disease Control, a HHS agency, fired 600 employees in August and the White House dismissed CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez and replaced her with Kennedy's deputy Jim O'Neill, sparking a backlash from health officials and lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, who previously ran an anti-vaccine group and campaigned on ending vaccine mandates, angered health officials by cancelling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccines.
In September, he testified before the Senate Finance Committee about his policy decisions.
After his hearing, Trump called him "a very good person" who "means very well" and is a "different" thinker.
"It's not your standard talk. I would say that, and that has to do with medical and vaccines," Trump said. "But if you look at what's going on in the world with health, and look at this country also with regard to health—I like the fact that he's different."
What To Know
The impeachment articles accused Kennedy of "high crimes and misdemeanors" including abusing authority and "undermining" public health. The articles said he "conducted far-reaching, haphazard reduction in force" and used "false, misleading, or non existent research" in his health reports "seeding confusion among the public and policymakers".
It also criticized the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to approve a version of leucovorin to treat children with autism.
"Such a move is in violation of administrative procedures regarding the approval of novel treatment methods by the FDA, including insufficient scientific evidence of any such risks or adverse effects the use of leucovorin poses to children's health," it said.
Kennedy was also accused of impairing the government's "response to the avian influenza outbreak" and cancelling grants and research programs.
Stevens had previously stated her intention to introduce articles of impeachment against Kennedy in a September statement.
She said: *“*RFK Jr. is making our country less safe and making healthcare less affordable and accessible for Michiganders. His contempt for science, the constant spreading of conspiracy theories, and his complete disregard for the thousands of research hours spent by America’s top doctors and experts is unprecedented, reckless, and dangerous. Enough is enough – we need leaders who put science over chaos, facts over lies, and people over politics, which is why I am announcing today that I have begun drafting articles of impeachment against Secretary Kennedy.”
Meanwhile, Kennedy is not the only administration figure to face impeachment calls.
Texas Democrat Al Green told Congress on Monday he was "moving to bring impeachment again" against President Donald Trump. He said that it will be clear why he is making the move when the articles are filed but that it was partly because Trump "doesn't respect the separation of powers" by speaking against members of the House who do not agree with him.
He previously introduced articles of impeachment against Trump in May, claiming he was "unfit to be president."
On Tuesday, Michigan Democrat Shir Thanedar also said he had introduced two articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
What People Are Saying
Stevens said in a video posted to X: "RFK Jr. has got to go. Today I introduced articles of impeachment to remove him from office. RFK Jr has turned his back on science, on public health, and on the American people. Under his watch, families are less safe, health care costs are skyrocketing and life saving research, including right here in Michigan, is being gutted. RFK Jr is the biggest self-created threat to our health and safety. I cannot and I will not stand by, while one man dismantles decades of medical progress. Enough is enough. And that is why I'm pushing to impeach RFK Jr, to hold him accountable and to protect the health, safety and future of every Michigander. Because our health, out science, and our future are worth fighting for."
Wyoming Senator, a Republican, John Barrasso said during Kennedy's hearing: "I'm a doctor. Vaccines work. Secretary Kennedy, in your confirmation hearings, you promised to uphold the highest standards for vaccines. Since then, I've grown deeply concerned."
Updated, 12/11/2025, 2:13 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from HHS.
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