Senator Ron Wyden is demanding a criminal investigation into Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. after a Guardian report revealed he allegedly lied during Senate confirmation hearings about his 2019 trip to Samoa, which coincided with a deadly measles outbreak.
Senator Ron Wyden, a top Democratic figure on the Finance Committee, has called for a criminal investigation into Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. following a Guardian report that alleges the official lied during Senate confirmation hearings about his 2019 trip to Samoa. The report, based on newly obtained letters, contradicts Kennedy’s testimony that his visit to the Pacific island nation had nothing to do with vaccines.
The letters were obtained by the Guardian and the Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
Wyden’s Call for Investigation
Wyden, who led the push for the investigation, accused Kennedy of lying to Congress
and claimed his statements left a trail of dead children in their wake.
In a statement, Wyden said, “RFK’s platform is built on lies and grifts that leave a trail of dead children in their wake. There are consequences for lying to Congress.” The senator cited a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit that uncovered letters showing Kennedy explicitly discussed studying the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine during his visit. Lying to Congress is a crime, whether or not the witness is under oath,
Josh Chafetz said, adding that Democrats would hold Kennedy accountable if they regain Senate control.
The Guardian’s reporting also highlighted a letter from Kennedy to Samoa’s prime minister, in which he used the words “vaccine” or “vaccination” eight times. This directly contradicts his testimony to Wyden and Senator Ed Markey, who questioned him about the trip. This is a pattern, not a slip,
Markey said, calling Kennedy’s statements “false” and urging his immediate removal from office.
Contradictions in Kennedy’s Testimony
The controversy centers on Kennedy’s 2019 trip to Samoa, which occurred months before a measles outbreak killed 83 people, mostly children under five. During confirmation hearings, Kennedy denied any connection between his visit and vaccines. The letters, obtained via FOIA, explicitly state that Kennedy told the Samoan prime minister he wanted to study the MMR vaccine and used the words “vaccine” or “vaccination” eight times.
Josh Chafetz, a Georgetown University Law Center professor, noted that while lying to Congress is a crime, the executive branch would need to prosecute,
and the current Justice Department under Trump is unlikely to act. Nevertheless, attorneys familiar with Senate procedures suggested that if Democrats gain majority control, they could use the letters to launch hearings or an impeachment inquiry.
Legal and Political Implications
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has denied the allegations, stating that Kennedy’s trip was unrelated to vaccines
and calling the claims “defamatory.” However, the federal statute of limitations for lying to Congress is five years, meaning a future Justice Department could investigate if Kennedy’s statements are deemed false. The Guardian sought comment from HHS but did not receive a response. In a previously issued statement, HHS said, “Kennedy’s visit to Samoa was unrelated to vaccines. Any claim or insinuation based on these letters that Secretary Kennedy lied under oath or to Congress is not only false but outright defamatory.”
Political figures across parties have weighed in. Hawaii Governor Josh Green, a physician who assisted in Samoa’s measles response, called for Kennedy’s resignation, stating, It is time for him to immediately resign.
Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, a member of the Senate health, education, labor and pensions committee, repeated her call that the health secretary resign or be fired. Also on Thursday, the government watchdog group American Oversight sent a letter to the Justice Department requesting an investigation into whether Kennedy violated the law by making false statements to Congress.
The situation underscores a broader debate over Kennedy’s fitness to lead HHS, with critics arguing his anti-vaccine stance and alleged dishonesty endanger public health.
