Fact Check: "Scientists are being fired under RFK Jr's constant surveillance."
What We Know
The claim that "scientists are being fired under RFK Jr's constant surveillance" appears to stem from recent actions taken by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), who, as the Health and Human Services Secretary, dismissed all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This committee is crucial in guiding vaccine recommendations in the United States. On June 9, 2025, RFK Jr. fired all 17 members of ACIP and appointed eight new members, many of whom are known for their skepticism towards vaccines (Harvard, NPR).
Critics of RFK Jr.'s actions argue that these firings undermine public trust in vaccines and reflect an anti-vaccine agenda (Harvard). Furthermore, RFK Jr. himself has claimed that the previous ACIP members had conflicts of interest, a statement that has been challenged by experts who assert that the former members were well-respected and rigorously vetted (NPR).
Analysis
The assertion that scientists are being fired under RFK Jr.'s "constant surveillance" lacks substantiation. While it is true that RFK Jr. has dismissed members of the ACIP, the term "constant surveillance" implies an ongoing monitoring of scientists, which is not supported by any evidence. The firings appear to be a strategic move to reshape the committee's direction rather than an act of surveillance or intimidation.
The sources discussing the firings, such as the Harvard article and NPR report, focus on the implications of these changes for public health and vaccine policy rather than any form of surveillance. Furthermore, RFK Jr.'s claims regarding the previous members' conflicts of interest have been critiqued as misleading, suggesting that the narrative surrounding his actions is more about political maneuvering than genuine oversight or concern for scientific integrity (Harvard).
The credibility of the sources used in this analysis is strong, with both Harvard and NPR being reputable organizations known for their journalistic integrity. They provide expert opinions and factual reporting on the implications of RFK Jr.'s actions, which further reinforces the conclusion that the claim of "constant surveillance" is unfounded.
Conclusion
The claim that "scientists are being fired under RFK Jr's constant surveillance" is False. While RFK Jr. has indeed dismissed members of a key vaccine advisory board, there is no evidence to support the notion that this action is part of a broader pattern of surveillance or intimidation of scientists. Instead, the firings appear to be a calculated move to align the committee with RFK Jr.'s views on vaccines, which has raised concerns among public health experts about the potential impact on vaccine policy and public trust.
Sources
- RFK Jr. moves on vaccines could have broad ramifications ... (https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/rfk-jr-moves-on-vaccines-could-have-broad-ramifications-for-public-health-says-expert/)
- A doctor fired by RFK Jr. from the national vaccine advisory ... (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/15/nx-s1-5431705/a-doctor-fired-by-rfk-jr-from-the-national-vaccine-advisory-board-speaks-out/)
- RFK Jr Claims HHS Has Not Fired Working Scientists ... (https://www.ajmc.com/view/rfk-jr-claims-hhs-has-not-fired-working-scientists-canceled-life-saving-research)
- RFK Jr. fired everyone on a key vaccine panel. Here's who ... (https://19thnews.org/2025/06/rfk-jr-fires-vaccine-panel-replacements/)
- RFK Jr. fires every member of CDC expert panel on vaccines (https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/rfk-jr-fires-every-member-of-cdc-vaccine-expert-panel-acip/)
