Blog
Sanders calls for RFK Jr. resignation amid public health upheaval
Sanders’ op-ed details RFK Jr.’s firing of CDC leadership, dismantling vax advisory boards, defunding mRNA research
Published
<div> <p><img width="800" height="640" src="https://www.salon.com/app/uploads/2025/08/RFK-Sanders-2.png" alt="Senator Bernie Sanders (R) writes an op-ed in The New York Times calling for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his controversial decisions at the CDC. (Tasos Katopodi / Lisa Lake / Getty Images / Salon Staff)" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high"> </p> <p> Senator Bernie Sanders (R) writes an op-ed in The New York Times calling for the resignation of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his controversial decisions at the CDC. (Tasos Katopodi / Lisa Lake / Getty Images / Salon Staff) </p> </div> <div> <section><p data-start="198" data-end="571">Senator Bernie Sanders published an op-ed in The New York Times on August 30, 2025, urging Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to step down, citing what he calls a “crisis of confidence” in America’s public health institutions.</p><p data-start="626" data-end="1369">Sanders’ critique comes in the wake of a string of controversial actions by Kennedy, including the abrupt dismissal of CDC Director Susan Monarez, the disbanding of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the halting of nearly $500 million in federal funding for mRNA vaccine development.</p><p data-start="1371" data-end="1999">According to Sanders, these actions “undermine scientific integrity, disrupt vaccine development, and threaten Americans’ access to life-saving healthcare.” He highlights the resignation of top CDC officials in protest as a stark signal that Kennedy’s leadership is incompatible with the responsibilities of HHS.</p><p data-start="2001" data-end="2554">The op-ed frames the resignation as both a moral and practical imperative, stressing that political ideology must not override science in safeguarding public health and ensuring pandemic preparedness. Sanders warns that dismantling vaccine advisory structures and defunding research could leave the U.S. vulnerable to future outbreaks.</p><p data-start="2556" data-end="2961">He also calls on Congress to hold HHS accountable for the upheaval, noting that the Trump-era appointee’s actions “threaten the public’s trust in health institutions that Americans rely on for safety and scientific guidance.” Sanders’ intervention signals rare but urgent congressional scrutiny of executive health policy, highlighting deep divisions over vaccine strategy, public trust, and governance.</p></section> <div> <h3> <span>By</span> CK Smith </h3> <p>CK Smith is Salon's weekend editor.</p> </div> <hr> <section> <h2> Related Topics <span> ------------------------------------------ </span> </h2> </section> <section data-post-id="869145" data-terms="acip,bernie_sanders,cdc,hhs,mrna,rfk-jr,robert-f-kennedy-jr,susan-monarez,vaccines"> <h2> <span> Related Articles </span> </h2> <div> <template> <div> <p><img src="https://www.salon.com/app/themes/salon/assets/img/salon-placeholder.webp" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" alt="Salon placeholder"> </p> </div> <span></span> </template> </div></section> <hr> </div>
Related Posts
DOH: No need for mandatory face masks in Metro Manila despite flu season rise
THE Department of Health (DOH) said there was no need to make the use of face masks mandatory in Metro Manila despite an uptick in influenza-like illnesses.
The statement comes after Quezon province mandated the use of face masks on Sunday as cases of influenza-like illnesses rise in the province.
Our advice remains the same: it is the flu season, and to help prevent spread, it is good public health practice to keep hands clean, wear face masks when with symptoms or to protect yourself, be vaccinated, cover coughs, eat a healthy diet, exercise, avoid smoking or vaping and drinking, and have adequate rest. There is no unusual or new virus or strain circulating, said Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo. Domingo added that under Republic Act 11332, local government units are empowered to determine public health measures appropriate...
‘A new benchmark for healthcare’: conditional approval granted for major redevelopment of Calvary hospital
'A new benchmark for healthcare': conditional approval granted for major redevelopment of Calvary hospitalUpdated September 23 2025 - 6:29amfirst published 5:30 AMUpdated September 23 2025 - 6:29amfirst published 5:30 AMDevelopment approval for a much-anticipated health project in Canberra's south has been granted after several months of evaluation.Subscribe today for the news that matters or signup to continue readingLIMITED TIME OFFERAll articles from our website
& appThe digital version of Today's
PaperCrosswords, Sudoku and TriviaMore from ACT PoliticsDailyYour morning newsToday's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
For-Profit Corporations Are Buying Up More Psychiatric Hospitals. Some Flout Federal Law With Scarce Repercussions.
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as they’re published. ...
Celebrity Health Scares of 2025: All the Stars’ Hospitalizations, Diagnoses & More
Image Credit: Getty Images for ABAFrom surprise hospitalizations to life-changing diagnoses, 2025 has seen a wave of celebrities opening up about their personal health battles. Stars like Elton John, Eric DaneandJustin Timberlake have revealed everything from vision loss to ALS and Lyme disease, reminding fans that fame doesn’t make one immune to medical challenges.As these stars speak out about their conditions, they’re not only raising awareness but also inspiring others to prioritize their well-being. Below, we’ve rounded up the most notable health scares of the year so far and other health updates.Justin TimberlakeOn July, 31, 2025, Justin, 44, revealed he was diagnosed with Lyme disease while completing his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. In an Instagram post, he shared, “Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease — which...
Hundreds of UK workers asked to move to Australia
Southern Australia is on a major recruitment drive and looking to attract those working in various industries, including healthcare, education, and construction 22:28, free, Sep 26, 2025 Updated: 22:54, free, Sep 26, 2025
Hundreds of Brits are being enticed to Australia to work in in-demand professions (Image: Getty Images)Hundreds of skilled UK workers are being enticed to relocate to South Australia to fill roles in key sectors. The state is on a significant recruitment mission, targeting professionals from various industries such as healthcare, education, construction, engineering, and public services.
This campaign forms part of the Move to South Australia UK Roadshow, where skilled workers and professionals are invited to explore career and lifestyle opportunities with representatives from key sectors, aiming to address a severe skills shortage.
The events will take place in Birmingham,...
Guess What! Medical Tourism Is Slowing Down In Nigeria. And it’s Real. Here Are The facts:
Outbound medical tourism is showing signs of decline. While Nigerians still spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on foreign healthcare, recent CBN data shows a sharp drop in forex allocation for medical travel—from $3.82 million in 2023 to just $2.41 million officially recorded in 2024. Over 95% of 2024’s spending occurred in January, with six months recording zero allocation. That’s not just a dip—it’s a signal of change.
Why? Because Nigeria is finally treating healthcare as a legacy, not a luxury.
But what about Japa?
Yes, over 15,000 Nigerian doctors currently practice abroad. The broader health-worker migration is significant, though not as high as the oft-cited figure of 94,000.
Nigeria’s doctor-to-patient ratio is estimated at 1:8,000—far above the WHO’s recommended 1:600. Still, the tide is turning.
The Federal Government is responding with bold reforms:• Retraining 120,000 frontline health workers•...
Surprising Causes Of High Cholesterol To Avoid
STRESS
Chronic stress causes a number of health problems, including high cholesterol. Research shows that it raises your risk for high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and lowers levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. That’s because stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, trigger changes that may lead to higher blood sugar and inflammation. Over time, this may cause your liver to pump out more cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides.
UNFILTERED COFFEE
That French press, Turkish coffee, or espresso habit may brew up trouble for your cholesterol. These coffees don’t use a filter, so oily compounds in the beans called diterpenes seep into your cup. These oils can raise LDL cholesterol. While a serving or two a day is OK, experts recommend no more than four unfiltered coffees a day.
MEDICATIONS
Some drugs may have an unexpected effect on your cholesterol. These...
Winemaking music lover to focus on health after blood cancer diagnosis
After 43 years of early rising, nurturing vines and "thriving on stress"Rob Wignall has called time on his family-run winery in Western Australia's Great Southern.
In 1981, Mr Wignall's father, Bill, developed a strong interest in wine and decided to research which vines would grow best on their farm, 15 minutes outside Albany.
"The science showed the Albany climate was virtually identical to the famous Burgundy region in France," Mr Wignall said.Wignalls Wines was started by Pat (middle) and Bill (right), before son Rob took over in 2004. (Supplied: Rob Wignall)After two decades of producing wine, Mr Wignall's father had to take a step back, as he developed Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disease.
"When he got ill, he got ill," Mr Wignall said.
" took over in 2004 as directors of the business …...
A common supplement could supercharge cancer treatments
In a new study, researchers from the University of Chicago discovered that zeaxanthin, a plant-derived carotenoid best known for protecting vision, may also act as an immune-boosting compound by strengthening the cancer-fighting activity of immune cells. The findings, which were published in Cell Reports Medicinehighlight the potential of zeaxanthin as a widely available supplement to improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapies.
"We were surprised to find that zeaxanthin, already known for its role in eye health, has a completely new function in boosting anti-tumor immunity," said Jing Chen, PhD, Janet Davison Rowley Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and senior author of the study. "Our study show that a simple dietary nutrient could complement and strengthen advanced cancer treatments like immunotherapy."
How does this nutrient work?
The study builds on years of work by Chen's lab to better...
Don’t use cannabis during pregnancy or breastfeeding, leading OBGYN group says
A leading OBGYN group has strengthened its guidelines surrounding the use of cannabis just before and during pregnancy, as well as during breastfeeding.(Image credit: Jamie Grill via Getty Images)People who are pregnant or lactating should not use cannabis, newly updated guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stress.
The professional group, which in a 2017 report already encouraged OB-GYNs to advise their patients against cannabis use during pregnancy, now recommends that clinicians systematically ask about, or "screen for"cannabis use by their patients before, during and after pregnancy. The updated guidelinespublished in September, also say clinicians should educate their patients about the drug's potential risks.ACOG recommends universal screening for cannabis through interviews, self-reports and other validated tools, but the professional group advises against biological testing, which uses hair or urine samples to detect cannabis...
16 Intermountain Health Hospitals Recognized by National Performance Group for Delivering High Quality Patient Care
Vizient’s 2025 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD Quality Leadership Awards given to 16 Intermountain Health hospitals for high-quality clinical and patient care
Sixteen Intermountain Health hospitals have received Vizient’s 2025 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Awards for demonstrating excellence in high-quality clinical and patient care.
Three hospitals – Intermountain Health Fillmore Community, Intermountain Health Park City, and Intermountain Health St. George Regional Hospital – were ranked number one in the country within their respective categories.
Vizient, a leading health care performance improvement company, ranked the Intermountain hospitals as top health care performers in their annual Quality and Accountability Study, which looked at data from 1,220 hospitals across the United States.
The study measured quality of patient care based in six factors: patient safety, mortality, effectiveness, efficiency, patient-centeredness and variation in care.
“These awards affirm that the priorities Intermountain is committed...
An unusual ‘village’ aims to help people leave long-term homelessness for good
The Other Side Village is building tiny cottages in Salt Lake City as part of its program to help people who've been chronically homeless. The organization also runs businesses to create jobs for residents. Jennifer Ludden/NPR ...
