The News Agents - USA Has RFK Jr declared a war on science?
Sep 3, 2025
Dr. Mandy Cohen, former director of the CDC, dives into the political turmoil surrounding RFK Jr.'s controversial leadership and his anti-vaccine stance. She explains the fallout from the firing of public health officials and its implications for vaccination rates in America. The conversation reveals how trust in institutions like the CDC has eroded amidst rising skepticism. Cohen also discusses broader themes, including the political strategies affecting public perception of health and the challenges faced by communities amid changing immigration enforcement.
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CDC Has Become A Political Battleground
- The CDC sits at the centre of US public-health infrastructure and became politicised during COVID.
- RFK Jr.'s vaccine scepticism has escalated those culture wars into structural changes at the agency.
Firing Sparked A Leadership Exodus
- RFK Jr fired CDC director Dr Susan Menares and provoked multiple resignations over vaccine policy.
- Those departures reflect a clash between science-based public health and the administration's MAHA agenda.
Policy Lacked Scientific Evidence
- Career CDC scientists demanded peer‑reviewed evidence for RFK Jr.'s vaccine claims and found none provided.
- That evidentiary gap underpins staff refusals to implement policy changes.