Category: Politics and Regulation

So it begins: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as HHS Secretary and immediately starts dismantling US federal science infrastructure
The nightmare has come true. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as HHS Secretary and didn't wait long to start dismantling federal science and health programs. The White House even formed a "MAHA commission" to draw up a battle plan.

DOGE vs. the NIH: Say goodbye to the greatest engine of biomedical research ever created
Friday, the Trump administration slashed indirect costs associated with NIH grants. What does this mean, and why could it be so disastrous for biomedical research?

MAHA: Echoes of The Secret
When you look at Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" movement, there is a notable echo of an idea once promoted by Oprah Winfrey, namely The Secret, combined with antivax and alt-med tropes.

An Open Letter to Dr. Vinay Prasad
Please recognize that you are now influencing the national public health policy and understand that being in authority is a very different job than simply questioning authority

The willful blindness of RFK Jr’s supporters
Shrug, move on and never admit you were wrong

The attack on the NIH has begun
Donald Trump has been sworn in, and his new administration has immediately turned its sights on the NIH. The danger to US biomedical research has never been more acute.

Trouble in (MAHA) paradise?
Even as President Donald Trump is inaugurated today and his pick for HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. prepares to face confirmation hearings, there is trouble in "make America healthy" paradise.

Gaslighting RFK Jr.’s role in the deadly Samoan measles outbreak
One of many shameful incidents in the life of antivax activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was his promotion of anti-MMR fear mongering during a measles epidemic in Samoa. Now that he could become HHS Secretary, his apologists are frantically trying to gaslight you. Here's how.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is NOT a “vaccine skeptic.” He is antivax. Period.
I wish I didn't have to write this post, but the press won't stop referring to RFK Jr. as a "vaccine skeptic." He is not. He is antivax.
The Trashing of Science by Robert F Kennedy Jr
If confirmed, Kennedy will keep trashing science and will continue exploiting the trashed science he helps create for his own benefit.