RFK Jr. Delivers a Clear But Firm Message to ALL HHS Staff, Get on Board or Get Out

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a clear message to agency staff: support the Trump administration’s reforms or consider retirement. His remarks came after hundreds of federal employees were let go as part of a broader push to streamline government operations.

Key Facts:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new HHS Secretary, addressed staff at headquarters on Tuesday.
Days earlier, about 1,300 CDC employees were terminated as part of a federal workforce reduction.
Kennedy told employees they must embrace reform or retire.
He announced plans for a commission to investigate chronic disease causes, including vaccines and ultra-processed foods.
The newly established President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission will focus on improving U.S. health and reducing conflicts of interest in federal health research.

The Rest of The Story:

Kennedy’s speech to HHS employees signaled a shift in the department’s direction under the Trump administration.

While he did not directly address the recent firings, he made it clear that employees unwilling to align with the administration’s priorities should consider leaving.

Among Kennedy’s key initiatives is a new presidential commission that will examine possible causes of chronic disease, including topics that have historically been off-limits for scrutiny.

These include childhood vaccines, antidepressants, and processed foods.

Despite his past skepticism of vaccines, Kennedy reassured staff that he supports science and is open to being proven wrong.

Another major focus of his leadership is eliminating conflicts of interest within HHS advisory committees.

He promised “radical transparency” and vowed to prevent regulatory agencies from being influenced by corporate interests.

RFK Jr. is making HHS staff respond to Elon’s email, which asks them to send their managers bullet points summarizing what they accomplished last week. pic.twitter.com/Vi5TL71rlV

— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) February 23, 2025

Commentary:

Kennedy’s message reflects a fundamental truth about government: every member of the executive branch works for the president.

A new administration brings new priorities, and federal employees unwilling to support the agenda should not expect to keep their jobs.

For decades, career bureaucrats have functioned as a separate power structure, often resistant to change.

This “deep state” mentality undermines elected leadership and prevents meaningful reform.

Kennedy is right—those who refuse to support the administration’s vision should step aside.

The days of unelected officials obstructing policy changes from within must come to an end.

His plan to investigate chronic disease and remove conflicts of interest is long overdue.

RFK Jr. addresses HHS in a call for unity:

“I've come through a highly polarized confirmation process….the fog of narrative warfare has made it hard to get a sense of who I am and what I believe and what I represent.

Let's establish a mutual intention to work toward what we… pic.twitter.com/I7b4aFp9z5

— Dr. Simone Gold (@drsimonegold) February 18, 2025

For too long, federal health agencies have been compromised by corporate influence, whether from pharmaceutical giants or processed food manufacturers.

If the government is truly committed to public health, transparency must be the foundation of policy decisions.

The outrage over Kennedy’s remarks underscores how deeply entrenched the bureaucracy has become.

Reforming HHS won’t be easy, but it’s necessary.

Americans deserve a health system that prioritizes their well-being over special interests.

The Bottom Line:

RFK Jr.’s speech marks a turning point for HHS.

His blunt approach makes it clear that business as usual is over, and resistance from within will not be tolerated.

The administration’s push for transparency and reform will face opposition, but if successful, it could reshape public health policy for years to come.