"RFK Jr. has lied to the Senate": Lawmakers call for criminal probe, ouster
Senate Democrats—including Edward Markey, Ron Wyden, Angela Alsobrooks, and Hawaii Governor Josh Green—are citing a cache of correspondence obtained by the AP and The Guardian that contradicts Kennedy’s testimony during his 2025 confirmation. In a January‑2019 letter to Samoa’s prime minister, Kennedy invoked “MMR vaccine” problems eight times and offered his Children’s Health Defense team to audit the island’s vaccine supply, a claim he later denied in Senate hearings. The prime minister’s February reply explicitly invited Kennedy’s “independent health assessment,” confirming the visit was framed around vaccines, not the digital health system Kennedy later cited.
The Samoa episode sits at the intersection of two escalating public‑health crises. After two infants died in July 2018 from a nurse‑administered muscle‑relaxant error, anti‑vaccine groups, led by CHD, amplified the tragedy as evidence of MMR danger, despite court‑validated manslaughter convictions. Vaccine confidence in Samoa plummeted to roughly 31 %, and a measles outbreak later that year killed 83 children. Meanwhile, the United States has seen a resurgence of measles, with two deaths this year, underscoring how misinformation can translate into tangible mortality. Kennedy’s appointment as health secretary has therefore become a flashpoint for a broader debate over how political figures influence vaccine policy and public trust.
If the Justice Department opens a criminal inquiry, Kennedy could face perjury charges for allegedly lying to the Senate, a rare move that would set a precedent for holding high‑level officials accountable for false testimony. Congressional pressure may force a formal resignation or a Senate‑initiated removal, reshaping the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services. Watch for a possible ethics hearing, potential legislative moves to tighten disclosure requirements for health officials, and a likely surge in scrutiny of CHD’s funding and lobbying activities.
Key Takeaways
Senate leaders are demanding both the ouster of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a DOJ investigation based on newly released Samoa letters.
The correspondence proves Kennedy promoted a vaccine‑focused mission in Samoa, directly contradicting his Senate testimony.
The Samoa measles tragedy, linked to anti‑vaccine rhetoric, mirrors a U.S. resurgence of measles and declining immunization rates.
A criminal probe or forced resignation could dramatically alter the U.S. health‑policy hierarchy and curb the influence of anti‑vaccine advocacy groups.
About the Source
This analysis is based on reporting by Ars Technica. Here is a short excerpt for context:
RFK Jr. went to Samoa to spread vaccine fears. The measles outbreak after killed 83.Read the original at Ars Technica
