Combative, Defensive and Occasionally Contrite, Kennedy Walks a Fine Line
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced intense questioning over four days in seven congressional hearings about President Trump’s budget, showing a mix of defensiveness and occasional contrition.
- Kennedy vehemently denied and then halfheartedly apologized for his 2024 comment suggesting Black children would benefit from being “re-parented.”
- Vaccination remains the central issue of Kennedy’s tenure, with the recent measles epidemic in Texas, which caused three deaths, dominating discussions.
- Under pressure, Kennedy distanced himself from past criticisms of the measles vaccine, stating his department advises every child to get vaccinated, though he did not personally take credit for this advice.
- Experts like Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel view Kennedy’s testimony as an attempt to backpedal and avoid accountability on vaccine-related issues.
