There is Now A New Call to Fire RFK Jr. • Franknez.com

On September 6, 2025, Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as U.S. Surgeon General during President Donald Trump’s first term, called for the immediate dismissal of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing his “dangerous” vaccine policies and disruption at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a CNN interview with Victor Blackwell, reported by The Daily Beast, Adams stated, “I absolutely believe that he should [be fired] for the sake of the nation and the sake of his legacy,” accusing Kennedy of undermining federal health agencies and endangering public health.

The remarks follow a contentious Senate hearing where Kennedy faced bipartisan criticism for his vaccine skepticism, amplifying tensions within Trump’s administration as economic and political challenges mount ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Adams’ Criticism and Kennedy’s Controversial Actions

Adams, who served from 2017 to 2021 and was a key figure in Trump’s Operation Warp Speed, expressed alarm over Kennedy’s influence, stating, “I’m just flabbergasted, to be honest, that he seems to have President Trump in a thrall.”

He argued that Kennedy’s policies, including the firing of CDC director Susan Monarez in August 2025 and the dismissal of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June, have damaged the credibility of agencies like the CDC, National Institutes of Health, and Food and Drug Administration.

“I absolutely believe he is uniquely damaging the credibility of federal agencies… and he’s putting us at risk,” Adams told CNN.

Kennedy’s actions have sparked chaos at the CDC, with Monarez, appointed by Trump, refusing to leave her post after less than a month, and several senior officials resigning in protest, per The Guardian.

Kennedy’s replacement of ACIP members with vaccine skeptics and his cancellation of $500 million in mRNA vaccine research, citing unproven safety concerns, have drawn sharp rebukes.

Adams, in a USA Today op-ed co-authored with former Surgeons General Joycelyn Elders and Richard Carmona, warned that Kennedy’s moves “jeopardize not only the institution’s integrity but also the health and well-being of millions of Americans.”

Bipartisan Backlash and Public Health Concerns

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing on September 4, Kennedy faced intense scrutiny from Democrats and some Republicans.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren accused him of “effectively denying people the vaccine” by limiting access to updated COVID-19 shots, while Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who voted to confirm Kennedy, criticized his policies for undermining public health.

Kennedy defended his CDC overhaul, claiming it was “absolutely necessary” to restore the agency’s reputation, but his past claims, such as linking vaccines to autism or calling the COVID-19 vaccine “the deadliest ever made,” have been debunked by studies like a 2019 FBI report.

Adams highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, noting that Kennedy’s vaccine restrictions “specifically endanger Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities, who experienced death rates during the pandemic that were twice as high as white Americans,” per The Guardian.

Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, RFK Jr.’s nephew, also called for his resignation on X, labeling him “a threat to the health and wellbeing of every American.”

Trump’s Response and Political Context

Trump has stood by Kennedy, praising his Senate performance on September 4, saying, “I heard he did very well today,” despite not watching the hearing.

However, on September 5, Trump distanced himself from Florida’s decision to eliminate school vaccine requirements, stating, “You have vaccines that work, they just pure and simple work… I think those vaccines should be used.”

This contrasts with Kennedy’s skepticism, which clashes with Trump’s Operation Warp Speed legacy, credited with saving millions of lives, per USA Today.

Adams’ call for Kennedy’s firing, echoed by bipartisan critics, underscores a rare GOP rift, with figures like Cassidy questioning Kennedy’s leadership.

As the 2026 midterms approach, the public health crisis could erode Trump’s credibility, particularly given his vaccine development legacy.

Kennedy’s tenure, marked by distrust and agency upheaval, risks long-term damage to public health infrastructure, making Adams’ warning a pivotal moment for the administration’s health policy direction.

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