Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fires two top deputies at Department of Health and Human Services

UNITED STATES, JUL 16 – Kennedy dismissed his chief of staff and deputy chief for policy amid efforts to overhaul vaccine policies and restructure HHS, with 20,000 staff cuts planned, officials said.

  • Robert F. Kennedy Jr., head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has dismissed two senior aides, including his top chief and the deputy responsible for policy, leading to a significant change in the department’s leadership.
  • Kennedy lost confidence in the two aides, although no single triggering event for their dismissal was clear, amid efforts to overhaul the department's leadership and policies.
  • Melanson, a seasoned government veteran with prior roles under Trump, and Anderson, a GOP staffer and policy adviser, were dismissed after only a few months on the job.
  • An HHS spokesperson confirmed that Matt Buckham, who previously worked as Kennedy’s White House liaison, has been appointed acting chief of staff right away as Kennedy looks for permanent replacements.
  • The firings come amid Kennedy's broader plans to reorganize HHS agencies, reduce their workforce by about 20,000 staff, and face scrutiny over vaccine policy changes.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

63 Articles

Lean Left

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, equivalent to the Ministry of Health, lasts these days the dismissal of thousands of employees after a Supreme Court ruling cleared last week the massive liquidation of officials that the Donald Trump government has undertaken. That in terms of structure, because in terms of the foundation of the agency, in theory public health management, its responsible, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is enough to dyna…

·Spain
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

STAT broke the news in Boston, United States on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal