's cabinet.
Following the appointment of the former Democrat-turned-independent supporter of the MAGA movement as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, a series of layoffs occurred at various agencies within his department's scope.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration's food division submitted his resignation on Monday, following the layoff of 89 employees at his agency.
The head of the food division led the agency to ban food dye Red No. 3 last month, citing widespread and 'unrestricted' cuts as the reason for his resignation.
The Acting Principal Deputy Director Nirav Shah is also leaving his position.
It remains to be seen whether the newly appointed HHS Secretary is ready to fill these two key positions right away.
Meanwhile, RFK Jr. focused this week on unveiling some of his key objectives as the newly appointed head of the federal department in charge of ensuring the US government effectively addresses health-related matters.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing emphasis on HHS due to the widespread concern and focus on how the US handles health crises from all sides.
The new HHS head stated he anticipates having his pre-existing views, encompassing the previously-held notion that vaccines caused a rise in childhood autism cases, subject to scrutiny and examination through unbiased scientific inquiry.
He mentioned to HHS staff members this week some areas of controversy he wants HHS to 'examine closely', specifically standards for foods, medicines, drugs and pesticides that he believes have been neglected or unfairly exempt in the past.
Some of the possible factors we will be investigating that were previously considered off-limits or not thoroughly examined include the childhood vaccine schedule, the effects of electromagnetic radiation, glyphosate, other pesticides, ultra-processed foods, artificial food additives, SSRI and other psychiatric medications, PFAs, PFOAs, and microplastics," Kennedy said. "Nothing will be excluded from our investigation.
'I'm open to re-examining every previous belief or assumption I've had, and subjecting them to rigorous scientific evaluation. That's our guiding principle: science without bias. This approach will make us proud of our agency and our contribution to improving public health in the United States.'
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a contentious choice for Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Not only has he been a lifelong Democrat, he is also an anti-vaxxer who holds strong convictions regarding how food, drugs, and other substances should be regulated by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Several senators inquired about Kennedy's vaccine stance during his confirmation hearings.
He emphasized that he would refrain from imposing his personal opinions on the entire U.S. population through policies implemented at the Department of Health and Human Services.
It appears his confirmation and the policies being implemented at HHS under the Trump administration are already having a significant impact on the department.
Last week,
The majority of the firings took place among employees at the CDC and the National Institutes of Health. However, eighty-nine staff members from the FDA's food department were let go in what their director, Jim Jones, described as 'indiscriminate' cuts.
Jones resigned on Monday.
"I was eager to contribute to the department's mission of enhancing the health of Americans by lessening the prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases and reducing the dangers posed by chemicals in food,' he stated in a resignation letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner.
He argued that, given the new administration's 'disregard for the very individuals' required to implement these changes, it would be 'futile for me to remain in this position.'
Reports surfaced on Tuesday that Nirav Shah, Acting Principal Deputy Director of the CDC, is also leaving his position.
Read more