Senator calls for criminal investigation of RFK Jr after Guardian report

Key Points:

• Senior Democratic Senator Ron Wyden has called for a criminal investigation into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., alleging he lied during Senate confirmation hearings about a 2019 trip to Samoa related to vaccines.
• The Guardian and Associated Press obtained letters through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit showing Kennedy communicated with the Samoan prime minister about studying the MMR vaccine, contradicting his Senate testimony that the trip was unrelated to vaccines.
• Other Democratic officials, including Senator Ed Markey and Maryland's Angela Alsobrooks, have demanded Kennedy's resignation or removal, citing his alleged dishonesty and anti-vaccine stance as endangering public health.
• The government watchdog American Oversight has formally requested the Justice Department to open an immediate investigation into whether Kennedy made false statements to Congress, a potential crime regardless of oath status.
• Legal experts note that prosecution would depend on the executive branch, and with Republicans controlling the Senate, action may be limited until Democrats possibly regain control after the 2024 elections, when further hearings or impeachment inquiries could be pursued.