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, leading to some lawmakers calling for his resignation.
Miller praised Kennedy as one of the world's foremost voices, advocates and experts on public health,
asserting he is working to restore the credibility and integrity of the CDC, a vital public health institution.
Critics have highlighted Kennedy's lack of medical qualifications and his controversial history as a vaccine skeptic. The upheaval follows staggering lay-offs at the CDC, raising doubts about the agency's stability and capacity to address public health crises.
Reacting to the unrest, former CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr Debra Houry warned that Kennedy's policies risk undermining scientific integrity and hampering the CDC's ability to prevent outbreaks of preventable diseases.
In response to the backlash, Kennedy reiterated his commitment to reinforcing trust and transparency within the CDC, aiming to position it as a defender of America's health.
The rising dissent includes criticisms from both sides of the aisle, with Democrats and some Republicans expressing concerns that Kennedy’s actions jeopardize public safety.
