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 said in a statement, and was 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. The unease led to some lawmakers calling for his resignation.
Miller called Kennedy one of the world's foremost voices, advocates and experts on public health, and said he is working hard to restore the credibility and the integrity of CDC, which is one of the world's most foremost public health bodies.
Kennedy does not hold a medical degree and had a background in law before Trump tapped him to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Department oversees a variety of US health agencies, including the CDC.
The recent turmoil follows the CDC permanently firing 600 employees earlier this month, according to a union representing the workers.
The layoffs include employees working on the government's response to infectious diseases, including bird flu, as well as those researching environmental hazards and handling public record requests for information.
Since taking office, Kennedy, a vaccine critic, has made a number of funding cuts and changes to how the US recommends and regulates immunizations that have angered public health experts.
He previously helped run an anti-vaccine group, and has repeatedly stated widely debunked claims about vaccine harm.
Former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Debra Houry, one of the officials who resigned this week, told the BBC's Newshour radio programme that Kennedy's policies lacked scientific integrity.
She added that the worst case result of Kennedy's policies is the disruption of the vaccine schedule for children, which could lead to the spread of preventable diseases throughout the US again, like polio and measles.
Several Democrat senators have called for Kennedy's resignation, including Georgia's Jon Ossoff, who called the health secretary a quack, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Schumer criticized Donald Trump for appointing Kennedy, stating it was a mistake and urged for immediate action on his removal.
Amidst the uproar, Kennedy has expressed his commitment to restoring trust and transparency to the CDC, emphasizing the importance of science and integrity guiding the agency.
