Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks renewed her demand for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s removal as Democrats prepare to investigate vaccine policies, federal health agency restructuring and research funding decisions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., demanded the resignation or dismissal of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday, Nov. 5, as Democrats prepared to use their newly won congressional majorities to investigate his leadership of the nation’s federal health agencies.
“The time is now. RFK Jr. must resign or be fired. End of discussion,” Alsobrooks declared in a post on X.
The demand follows Tuesday’s midterm elections, which gave Democrats control of the House and Senate and expanded their ability to conduct investigations into President Donald Trump’s administration.
Kennedy, who took office in February 2025, has faced sustained criticism from Democratic lawmakers over changes to federal vaccine recommendations, reductions in government health staffing and research funding decisions. He has defended his policies as part of the administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, which emphasizes chronic disease prevention, nutrition and changes to federal health policy.
Alsobrooks’ latest statement continues an effort she began in 2025 to remove Kennedy from office.
In September 2025, she joined Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in releasing a report criticizing Kennedy’s first 203 days in office.
The Senate Finance Committee report accused the secretary of undermining public health programs, creating uncertainty over vaccination policies and disrupting federal health agencies.
At the time, Alsobrooks said Kennedy should resign or be dismissed, arguing that his decisions had harmed Americans and federal scientists.
Kennedy’s supporters have rejected such accusations, maintaining that his leadership is intended to increase transparency, address chronic health problems and challenge longstanding federal health recommendations.
The political dispute intensified following the Democratic midterm victories.
According to Bloomberg Law’s Nov. 4 report, Democratic lawmakers are preparing investigations into changes Kennedy made at the Department of Health and Human Services, including vaccine policy and federal research funding.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, signaled an aggressive approach to investigating the administration after the election.
“LAWYER UP,” Garcia wrote in a social media post.
Kennedy’s department oversees major federal health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The administration announced a significant HHS restructuring in March 2025, including plans to eliminate approximately 10,000 positions and close five regional offices.
Those changes, along with subsequent staffing and funding decisions, have become subjects of congressional disagreement.
Democratic lawmakers contend that reductions in staffing and changes to scientific advisory processes could undermine public health programs. Administration officials argue that restructuring is necessary to reduce bureaucracy and improve accountability.
Kennedy’s handling of vaccine policy has generated particularly sharp criticism.
Democrats have challenged changes to federal vaccination recommendations and the composition of advisory bodies, while Kennedy has maintained that his approach is intended to strengthen scientific scrutiny and public confidence in health decisions.
The disagreements have also included allegations about statements Kennedy made during his Senate confirmation proceedings.
In August 2026, The Guardian reported that Democratic lawmakers were seeking further scrutiny of his confirmation testimony following questions about his account of discussions involving vaccination policy.
Those allegations could become subjects of congressional hearings, although allegations of misleading testimony do not themselves establish a criminal violation.
The incoming Democratic majorities will have greater authority to convene oversight hearings, demand documents and seek testimony from administration officials when the new Congress begins in January 2027.
However, congressional oversight authority does not give lawmakers the power to directly fire a Cabinet secretary.
Kennedy could resign voluntarily, be dismissed by President Trump or potentially be removed through the constitutional impeachment process, which requires approval by the House and conviction by a two-thirds Senate vote.
Democratic control of Congress alone does not guarantee his removal.
Kennedy’s position has also become part of a wider confrontation between congressional Democrats and the White House.
In reporting published Thursday, Reuters described Democratic plans to investigate administration spending, business dealings and policy decisions, including agreements involving pharmaceutical companies.
The White House has criticized the planned investigations as politically motivated, while Democrats argue that renewed oversight is necessary to examine decisions made during Republican control of Congress.
Alsobrooks’ statement places Kennedy among the first senior administration officials publicly targeted for removal following the election.
As of Thursday, Kennedy remained health secretary, and no formal congressional proceeding had resulted in his removal.
The renewed demand signals that his management of federal health agencies will be a prominent subject of Democratic oversight when the next Congress convenes.
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