Senior Democrat Calls for Criminal Investigation Into HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Over Samoa Testimony
PUBLISHED Aug 27, 2026, 10:41 PM ET
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden called for a criminal investigation into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday following the release of newly obtained records. The documents, secured through a public records lawsuit by media organizations, reveal a January 2019 letter where Kennedy explicitly proposed studying the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in Samoa. This contradicts his repeated testimony during last year's Senate confirmation hearings, where he insisted his visit to the Pacific island had nothing to do with vaccines. The 2019 trip preceded a devastating measles outbreak in Samoa that resulted in eighty-three deaths, predominantly young children, after immunization rates plummeted. Government watchdog group American Oversight formally requested the Department of Justice launch a criminal probe under federal false statement statutes. Meanwhile, HHS defended Kennedy, asserting the trip was unrelated to vaccines and dismissing allegations as defamatory, while congressional Democrats renewed demands for his immediate resignation.
By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News
- Articles Published:
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- Right Leaning:
- 4
- Left Leaning:
- 5
- Neutral:
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- Distribution:
- Left 16%, Center 71%, Right 13%
Left: Emphasizes public danger, alleged perjury, and demands for immediate resignation. Center: Focuses on contradicting documents, congressional dispute, and official departmental rebuttals. Right: Highlights administration pushback against partisan attacks and opposition political motivations.
On August 27, 2026, media organizations published newly obtained letters. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/27/rfk-jr-confirmation-hearing-investigation
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Senior Democrat Calls for Criminal Investigation Into HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Over Samoa Testimony
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