Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Accused of Undermining CDC Trust

Former CDC chief medical officer Dr. Debra Houry said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has caused “irreparable harm” to the agency. She told CBS News’ Face the Nation that public confidence in the CDC has fallen dramatically, dropping from about 77 % in spring 2025 to roughly 50 % in recent polls – a decline of more than 20 percentage points.

Houry, who resigned along with other senior CDC leaders in August 2025, cited concerns over Kennedy’s vaccine‑policy stance, overstated risk messaging and the spread of misinformation. She also referenced a surge in measles cases, additional vaccine‑preventable disease deaths, and a deadly shooting at the CDC’s Atlanta headquarters. Following the resignations, several states have removed links to CDC resources and turned to other medical organizations, making rebuilding trust “really difficult overnight.”