All In with Chris Hayes Hayes torches ‘dangerous crank’ RFK Jr
8 snips
Aug 29, 2025 
Peter Welch, a Democratic Senator from Vermont known for his role on the Finance Committee, dives deep into the controversies surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s political influence on public health. The discussion highlights the urgency of protecting scientific integrity amid political pressures, especially in vaccine policies. Welch critiques RFK Jr.'s actions, shedding light on the risks of personal beliefs affecting public health decisions. The Senator also reflects on current challenges faced by the CDC and uncovers troubling interactions between firefighters and immigration enforcement during wildfires.
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CDC Independence Under Attack
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions are rapidly politicizing and destabilizing the CDC's independence.
- Career public health staff view his moves as an ideological attack that undermines evidence-based practice.
Policy Shifts Without Scientific Basis
- RFK Jr. has reversed longstanding vaccine access policies despite no scientific basis for the change.
- His public statements and selective citations show ideological bias, not evidence-driven decisions.
Confirmation Built On False Promises
- Senator Peter Welch and others view RFK Jr. as unfit and see his confirmation as enabled by false assurances.
- Several senators who voted to confirm him later felt deceived by his actions.
