RFK Jr. Faces Unprecedented Rebuke from Six Former U.S. Surgeons General Over Public Health Failures

In a historic and scathing public statement, six former U.S. Surgeons General have joined forces to issue an unprecedented warning about Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of endangering the nation’s health. The joint opinion piece, published in The Washington Post, calls Kennedy’s actions as Health Secretary “profound, immediate, and unprecedented threats” to public health.

The warning was signed by six prominent figures in American public health: Jerome Adams, Richard Carmona, Joycelyn Elders, Vivek Murthy, Antonia Novello, and David Satcher. The group, representing both Democratic and Republican administrations, stated that Kennedy has “rejected science, misled the public, and compromised the health of Americans.”

The Surgeon General serves as the nation’s leading voice on public health and oversees the operations of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. According to the former Surgeons General, Kennedy has repeatedly ignored expert guidance, dismantled critical health advisory panels, and fueled anti-science misinformation. This has, in their view, eroded public trust in agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH.

One particularly alarming example cited was Kennedy’s overhaul of the CDC vaccine advisory panel, where he removed all 17 existing members and replaced them with individuals who “often lacked basic qualifications.” The former Surgeons General criticized Kennedy for amplifying health misinformation rather than addressing it with clarity and evidence.

The statement also highlights Kennedy’s promotion of vaccine conspiracy theories, including his debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and questioning the safety of the HPV vaccine. According to the authors, these actions have created a “toxic environment” within the Department of Health and Human Services, leaving scientists feeling “silenced and sidelined” while morale has plummeted.

Their critique comes amid serious public health crises. Kennedy’s leadership coincided with the worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, resulting in three preventable deaths and the first measles-related child fatality in the U.S. in more than two decades. The former Surgeons General emphasize that effective public health leadership requires integrity, transparency, and a commitment to scientific evidence.

“Repairing this damage requires a leader who respects scientific integrity, listens to experts, and restores trust in federal health agencies,” they wrote. “Secretary Kennedy is entitled to his views, but he is not entitled to put people’s health at risk.”

The statement underscores the importance of prioritizing public health over politics, noting that these six health leaders are speaking out not for personal or political gain, but to protect the well-being of Americans. Their united front sends a clear message: public health should never be compromised by ideology or misinformation.

This extraordinary warning is a rare example of courage in public service. In speaking out, the former Surgeons General have highlighted the critical need for leadership that values science, transparency, and trust in America’s health institutions. Their actions remind the nation that protecting public health is a responsibility that transcends politics.