Joe Kennedy III has publicly criticized his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for his role as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, calling him a “threat to the health and wellbeing of every American.” The former Massachusetts lawmaker condemned RFK Jr.’s actions in a social media post that garnered over 1.2 million views, highlighting what he described as a disregard for science and public health expertise.
The rebuke followed RFK Jr.’s contentious Senate hearing, which intensified a rift within the Kennedy family. Joe Kennedy’s statement emphasized that the HHS Secretary’s responsibilities include safeguarding public health, yet he alleged RFK Jr. had instead “dismissed science, mislead the public, and sowed confusion.” The post criticized the administration’s approach to crises like disease outbreaks and mental health struggles, arguing that leadership rooted in “moral clarity” and “scientific expertise” was absent.
RFK Jr.’s sister Kerry Kennedy also condemned him, citing his “inaccurate medical statements and poor public health advice.” She warned that dismantling institutions like the NIH and CDC would endanger lives, stating, “The decimation of critical institutions… will lead to the loss of innocent lives.” The family’s criticisms reflect growing tensions over RFK Jr.’s alignment with President Donald Trump’s policies and his appointment under a “Make America Healthy Again” agenda.
Joe Kennedy’s call for RFK Jr. to resign marks a significant escalation in the internal conflict, underscoring deep divisions within one of America’s most prominent political families.