Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - ABC News — Only Clowns Are Orange

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made headlines for various health-related initiatives, including a statement that the FDA will review certain ingredients in ultra-processed foods and efforts to change the childhood vaccine schedule, which have faced criticism from former CDC directors and HHS employees. He has also been involved in political debates over vaccine policies, abortion pills, and children's health strategies, while facing significant opposition from health officials and lawmakers who accuse him of endangering public health. Additionally, Kennedy's statements and actions have prompted legal and political scrutiny, including calls for his resignation from hundreds of HHS employees.

Follow the latest Robert F. Kennedy Jr. news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.

February 18

RFK Jr. says FDA will 'act on' ultra-processed foods petition

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Food and Drug Administration will "act on" a petition calling for a safety review of some ingredients found in ultra-processed foods.

February 18

RFK Jr. says FDA will 'act on' ultra-processed foods petition

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the FDA will "act on" a petition calling to revoke the safety status of some ingredients commonly found in ultra-processed foods.

February 18

February 11

In one of strongest endorsements from Trump admin, Dr. Oz says get measles vaccine

Dr. Mehmet Oz encouraged Americans to get the measles shot in one of the most public statements from a top health official within the Trump administration.

February 11

February 05

Warren slams Kennedy’s 'disregard for child welfare' amid immigration crackdown

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding answers from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about the impact of federal immigration surges on children's health.

February 05

January 08

RFK Jr.'s diet guidelines emphasize red meat, full-fat dairy. How healthy are they?

Nutrition and diet experts say red meat and full-fat dairy can be part of a heathy diet, but they also can be high in sodium and saturated fats.

January 08

RFK Jr. releases new dietary guidelines with emphasis on protein, full-fat dairy

The Trump administration announced new federal dietary guidelines on Wednesday, encouraging Americans to limit highly processed food and reduce refined carbohydrates.

January 08

January 07

What are the new dietary guidelines? RFK Jr. unveils new food pyramid

While many recommendations are science-backed, some aspects of the new guidance, especially saturated fats, warrant caution.

January 07

December 10

CDC panel to vote Friday on childhood vaccine schedule

The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel is set to meet Friday to vote on changing the recommendations for vaccine scheduling that could affect children’s vaccinations.

December 10

How CDC advisory vote could impact future of childhood vaccines

ABC News medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel discusses the CDC advisory committee's expected vote on whether newborns should get the hepatitis B shot.

December 10

November 26

What to know about new CDC deputy director who has been critical of COVID vaccines

A top Louisiana health official has been appointed principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

November 26

October 08

HHS attacks former surgeons general who said RFK Jr. is danger to US public health

HHS hit back at an op-ed written by the most recent six surgeons general, who said they wanted to warn the U.S. about the dangers of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

October 08

Former surgeons general warn US about RFK Jr.

Six former surgeons general issued a warning in an op-ed about health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying he is “endangering the nation” with his policies.

October 08

September 24

RFK Jr. launches FDA review of abortion pill

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told Republican states this week that the FDA would conduct a new review of abortion pills.

September 24

September 23

Trump distorts facts on autism, Tylenol and vaccines, scientists say

Scientists say that Trump distorted facts on vaccines, Tylenol and autism during a news conference in which he encouraged pregnant women not to take the drug.

September 23

President Trump and RFK Jr. make announcement on autism, Tylenol, and vaccines

The Trump administration said Monday that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy may be linked to an increased risk of autism, causing the stock price of Tylenol-maker Kenvue to fall in Monday trading.

September 23

September 22

Trump announcement about autism could 'raise so much fear,' says autism researcher

Helen Tager-Flusberg, professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences at Boston University, discusses what to expect from President Trump’s upcoming remarks at the White House on autism.

September 22

What to know about planned announcement by Trump on autism

David Mandell, professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, discusses what to expect from President Trump’s upcoming remarks at the White House on autism.

September 22

Trump administration to make announcement about autism: Report

The Washington Post is reporting that the Trump administration is planning to link autism to the use of Tylenol in pregnancy. The maker of Tylenol is pushing back on the claims.

September 22

September 20

CDC panel abandons COVID vaccine recommendation, saying it's a personal choice

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, called ACIP, on Friday voted to abandon its recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine.

September 20

September 19

CDC panel drops COVID-19 vaccine recommendations, says it's a personal choice

The CDC's vaccine advisory panel voted Friday to abandon its recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine, with the committee unanimously voting to recommend that Americans make it a personal choice.

September 19

RFK Jr.’s vaccine advisory panel changes vaccine guidelines for children

Doctors from the American Academy of Pediatrics are warning parents not to listen to any changes to childhood vaccine schedules coming from the CDC panel of advisors.

September 19

September 18

Nation's new top vaccine advisory panel set to meet on new guidelines

A critical CDC vaccine panel is set for today, weighing recommendations on shots from measles to COVID. This comes after the former CDC director testified at Congress.

September 18

Former CDC director testifies that she was fired over new child vaccine schedule

Susan Monarez testified that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired her after 29 days on the job for refusing his order to pre-approve new child vaccine recommendations before they were written.

September 18

September 17

RFK Jr. said 'changes' coming to childhood vaccine schedule, according to Monarez

Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told her changes to the childhood vaccine schedule were coming in September.

September 17

Former CDC director tells Senate committee 'true reason' she believes she was fired

Former CDC Director Susan Monarez issued a detailed timeline of events she said led to her ouster as she testified before a Senate committee on Wednesday.

September 17

Sen. Bernie Sanders recounts RFK Jr.'s testimony against ousted CDC director

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his hearing before the Senate Committee, disputed Susan Monarez's version of events, which she first shared that same day in an op-ed published by the Wall Street Journal.

September 17

Susan Monarez details her ouster by RFK Jr. in opening statement before the Senate

Former CDC director Susan Monarez is appearing before the Senate Committee in her first public appearance since she was pushed out of her position leading the nation's public health agency.

September 17

September 10

RFK Jr. said kids receive up to 92 vaccine doses. How many do they really get?

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. suggested children receive up to 90 vaccine doses. Doctors say that number is closer to 30 doses before age 18.

September 10

RFK-led MAHA report offers solutions, some vague, to childhood health problems

The White House released a strategy document on Tuesday outlining ways to address what it says are the key factors impacting children's health.

September 10

MAHA report offers solutions, some vague, to childhood health problems

ABC News medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel discusses the report, composed by the White House's Make America Healthy Again Commission, outlining ways to address factors impacting children's health.

September 10

September 09

Trump’s Health Commission releases ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again’ strategy

ABC News’ Dr. Darien Sutton discusses the strategy document released by the White House’s “Make America Healthy Again” Commission outlining the key factors impacting children’s health.

September 09

Former FDA employee on RFK Jr.’s strategy on children’s health

The White House’s “Make America Healthy Again” Commission released a strategy document on Tuesday outlining ways to address what it says are the key factors impacting children’s health.

September 09

September 07

RFK Jr. ‘is a foolish man, full of foolish and vapid ideas’: Christie

The Powerhouse Roundtable breaks down the latest news on “This Week.”

September 07

September 05

Trump defends RFK Jr. after heated Senate hearing

President Donald Trump reacted to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Senate Finance Committee testimony, which came after a week of fast-moving shake-ups at Health and Human Services.

September 05

Trump defends RFK Jr. after his Senate testimony on vaccine policy

ABC News' Selina Wang and medical contributor Dr. Alok Patel discus the fallout from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Senate Finance Committee testimony.

September 05

RFK Jr. asked to square COVID vaccine skepticism with Trump's Operation Warp Speed

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Trump deserves the Nobel prize for Operation Warp Speed. One Republican called that "surprising" given Kennedy's moves to curtail access.

September 05

Amid RFK Jr.'s fiery Senate hearing over CDC turmoil, vaccines, here are 4 takeaways

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a grilling before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday over CDC turmoil and vaccine changes. Here are four takeaways.

September 05

RFK Jr. grilled amid battle over vaccines

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a grilling on Capitol Hill on Thursday with both Democrats and Republicans expressing concerns about his ability to oversee the nation’s public health.

September 05

Fact-checking RFK Jr.'s testimony during Thursday's hearing

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. repeated false and misleading claims on a wide range of health topics in his hearing Thursday.

September 05

September 04

Key moments from RFK Jr.'s fiery Senate hearing

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced a grilling before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday amid turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

September 04

Lawmakers clash with RFK Jr. on vaccines in hearing

ABC News’ Linsey Davis was joined by former deputy director of the CDC, Dr. Deb Houry, to react to the testimony heard by HHS secretary RFK Jr.

September 04

Former NIH employee reacts to RFK Jr.'s testimony

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was grilled on everything from vaccine availability to his staffing shakeups at the CDC.

September 04

RFK Jr. faces grilling over CDC turmoil, vaccines

Kennedy was grilled on vaccine availability, his staffing shakeups at the CDC. Several Republicans expressed concern on vaccines, while Democrats accused Kennedy of breaking pledges.

September 04

Sen. Elizabeth Warren accuses Kennedy of breaking promise on vaccines

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren accused Kennedy of turning back on his statements during his confirmation hearing that he would not take away vaccines for Americans who want them.

September 04

Bennet, Kennedy spar over vaccines in heated exchange

Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet grilled Kennedy on his firing of all 17 members of the CDC's vaccine advisory panel.

September 04

More than 1,000 current, former HHS employees calling on RFK Jr. to resign

More than 1,000 current and former employees across the Department of Health and Human Services signed a letter on Wednesday morning calling for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation.

September 04

September 03

RFK Jr. called on to resign by more than 1,000 current, former HHS employees

More than 1,000 current and former employees across HHS signed a letter on Wednesday morning calling for Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation.

September 03

September 02

Former CDC director talks about criticizing RFK in new op-ed

"We need to draw attention to this." Dr. Richard Besser explains why he and other former directors publicly denounced RFK's handling of public health.

September 02

Former CDC directors accuse RFK Jr. of endangering Americans' health

Nine former directors of the Centers for Disease Control have accused Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of jeopardizing the health of millions of Americans.

September 02

September 01

RFK Jr. ousted a CDC boss. Now former directors say he's endangering US health

Nine former directors of the CDC are speaking out, saying Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is endangering the health of Americans.

September 01

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - ABC News

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