The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr after a chaotic week at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that led to calls for his removal.
On Friday, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called Kennedy, also known as RFK Jr, a crown jewel of this administration.
Earlier this week, CDC Chief Dr Susan Monarez was fired because she was not aligned with the president's agenda, the White House stated and replaced by RFK Jr's deputy, Jim O'Neill.
At least three senior CDC leaders have since resigned over frustrations about Kennedy's leadership and vaccine policy. This unease has led some lawmakers to call for his resignation.
Miller praised Kennedy as one of the world's foremost voices, advocates and experts on public health, stating that he is working to restore the CDC's credibility.
However, critics point out that Kennedy, who does not hold a medical degree, has a controversial history regarding vaccines, having previously run an anti-vaccine group and promoted widely debunked claims about vaccine safety.
The turmoil follows the CDC's recent decision to fire about 600 employees, which has alarmed public health experts who worry about the agency’s capacity to respond to health crises.
Resignations, including that of former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr Debra Houry, have prompted concerns about the scientific integrity of CDC and its ability to prevent disease outbreaks.
With calls for accountability echoing from both parties, Kennedy has stated his commitment to restore trust within the CDC and emphasized the need for integrity and scientific guidance in public health initiatives.
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