On September 25, 2025, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens set off a political firestorm by announcing her intention to draft articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The move, which Stevens described as necessary to hold Kennedy accountable for what she called “unprecedented, reckless, and dangerous” actions, has reignited fierce debate over the direction of U.S. public health policy and the leadership of one of the nation’s most influential agencies.
Stevens, a Democrat known more for her policy focus than partisan theatrics, did not mince words in her public statement. “RFK Jr. is making our country less safe and making healthcare less affordable and accessible for Michiganders,” she declared, as reported by WNEM. She went on to accuse Kennedy of contempt for science, spreading conspiracy theories, and disregarding the thousands of research hours spent by America’s top doctors and experts. “Enough is enough – we need leaders who put science over chaos, facts over lies, and people over politics, which is why I am announcing today that I have begun drafting articles of impeachment against Secretary Kennedy.”
The articles, according to Stevens, will focus on several core issues. Chief among them are Kennedy’s funding cuts for medical research, including pediatric cancer and vaccine development, which she labeled an “abdication of duty.” She also cited his failure to carry out the statutory duties of the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly in administering the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
One of the most controversial moves under Kennedy’s leadership was the removal of every member of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel. Stevens charged that this, along with his decision to politicize the FDA, has severely restricted access to vaccines. In her view, Kennedy’s policies—such as withdrawing federal recommendations for COVID-19 shots for pregnant women and healthy children, and canceling mRNA vaccine research—have put lives in danger and raised healthcare costs for families nationwide.
Stevens also accused Kennedy of making “wild and unfounded claims” at the White House, specifically pointing to his attempt to link acetaminophen to autism in what she described as an effort to limit access to Tylenol. She further alleged that Kennedy lied during his confirmation hearing, breaking a pledge to Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy that he would leave the CDC vaccine advisory panel intact. “Secretary Kennedy has violated his oath of office and proven himself unfit to serve the American people,” Stevens said, as cited by The Hill. “Congress must act to hold him accountable, and I intend to lead the charge to remove him from office.”
The backdrop to this impeachment effort is a tenure marked by controversy from the start. Kennedy, a longtime leader in the anti-vaccine movement, was sworn in as the 26th HHS Secretary earlier in 2025. His appointment by President Donald Trump was met with both praise from vaccine skeptics and alarm from much of the scientific and medical community. In his own words, Kennedy thanked Trump for his “leadership, your confidence in me, and your deep concern for the health of the American people,” according to WNEM. He added, “You have truly heard the calls of the millions of mothers who simply want the tools – and the truth – so they can make informed decisions for their children.” Kennedy has said, “I have prayed each morning for the past two decades for God to put me in a position to solve the childhood chronic disease epidemic, and now, thanks to you, Mr. President, we will make this promise a reality.”
Yet the reality eight months into his tenure is far from the restoration of public trust Kennedy promised. According to MSNBC, Kennedy is accused of uprooting much of the nation’s public health infrastructure and putting countless Americans’ health at risk. William Foege, a former director of the CDC, offered a scathing assessment: “Kennedy would be less hazardous if he decided to do cardiac surgery. Then he would kill people only one at a time rather than his current ability to kill by the thousands.”
Kennedy’s political capital appears to be dwindling rapidly. Officials who have worked closely with him—including some Trump appointees—have characterized him as dangerous and incompetent. The list of those calling for his resignation now reportedly includes members of his own family and even some congressional Republicans. As The Hill noted, Stevens has repeatedly called for Kennedy’s removal since he took office, and her latest move is the culmination of months of mounting frustration. “Health care chaos. Reckless cuts. Rising costs. Michiganders and families across the country are paying the price for RFK Jr.’s agenda. Enough is enough, which is why I’m drafting articles of impeachment against [Kennedy],” Stevens said in an online statement.
Stevens’ campaign to reverse Kennedy’s policies extends beyond impeachment. She introduced the “Stop RFK’s BS Act,” aiming to restore health care funding slashed since Kennedy assumed office. While the Republican majorities in Congress make the prospects for impeachment or legislative reversal slim, the efforts underscore the severity of the crisis perceived by Kennedy’s critics.
Public opinion seems to be shifting as well. A Quinnipiac University poll released just before Stevens’ announcement found that only 33% of Americans approve of Kennedy’s job performance, down from 38% in June. This erosion of support is particularly striking given Kennedy’s stated mission to restore trust in the nation’s health agencies. As MSNBC observed, “The more Americans reject him, the more obvious his failure becomes.”
Medical professionals have also raised alarms about the impact of Kennedy’s policies, especially regarding pediatric cancer research and vaccine access. Stevens’ office highlighted these concerns, emphasizing that “his actions jeopardize public health, increase the cost of healthcare, and cut medical research from pediatric cancer initiatives to vaccine developments.”
Stevens herself has been busy on multiple fronts. According to Quiver Quantitative, she has recently disclosed $1.3 million in fundraising, with 86.2% coming from individual donors. Her legislative record includes recent proposals such as the Union Auto Workers Job Protection Act and the Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act, signaling her continued focus on health and labor issues even as the impeachment effort dominates headlines.
As the standoff between Stevens and Kennedy intensifies, the broader implications for public health and the future of the Department of Health and Human Services remain uncertain. Whether or not the impeachment effort succeeds, it has already forced a national reckoning over the leadership and priorities of one of America’s most vital institutions.
For now, the country watches as Congress weighs the fate of a health secretary whose tenure has been anything but ordinary—and whose legacy, for better or worse, may shape American healthcare for years to come.
