Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing calls for a criminal investigation and removal from office after newly obtained records contradicted his testimony to senators about a 2019 trip to Samoa.
The documents indicate that Kennedy informed Samoa’s prime minister that he intended to study the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine during his visit. This contradicts his statements during two January 2025 confirmation hearings, where he claimed the trip had “nothing to do with vaccines.”
Records raise questions about Kennedy’s testimony
Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said he plans to press Republican colleagues to refer the matter to the Department of Justice.
“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,” Wyden said.
Kennedy traveled to Samoa in 2019 while leading Children’s Health Defense, an organization opposed to vaccines. Months later, Samoa was hit by a measles outbreak that sickened thousands and resulted in 83 deaths, primarily among children under five.
During his 2025 confirmation hearings, Wyden and Sen. Ed Markey questioned Kennedy about the trip. Kennedy maintained that the purpose was not related to vaccines.
Lawmakers want Kennedy out
A January 2019 letter signed by Kennedy and addressed to Samoa’s prime minister presents a different account. In the letter, Kennedy proposed that his organization assess the country’s MMR vaccines. The terms “vaccine” or “vaccination” appear eight times.
The Guardian and the Associated Press obtained the records after a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
Markey, who also questioned Kennedy about Samoa during his confirmation, stated that the records indicate Kennedy’s earlier testimony was false.
“This is a pattern, not a slip. RFK Jr has lied to the Senate, lied to the American people and jeopardized the health of children to advance his anti-vaccine agenda,” Markey said. “He should never have been confirmed, and he cannot be trusted to run [the Department of Health and Human Services] for even one more day.”
More calls for Kennedy to step down
Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, a member of the Senate committee overseeing Kennedy’s department, reiterated her call for his resignation or removal.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a physician who traveled to Samoa during the 2019 measles response, also called for Kennedy’s resignation.
“It is clear that Kennedy misled Congress about his intentions in Samoa and his stance on vaccinations during his confirmation hearings two years ago. It is time for him to immediately resign,” Green said.
The government watchdog American Oversight separately requested that the Justice Department investigate whether Kennedy violated the law by making false statements to Congress.
Could RFK Jr. face a criminal probe?
Georgetown law professor Josh Chafetz said lying to Congress can be a crime even if a witness is not under oath. However, prosecuting such a case would require action from the executive branch.
Kennedy was not sworn in during either confirmation hearing. However, Wyden’s staff said that does not change the issue. They said making false statements during a confirmation hearing can still be a crime.
Kennedy’s agency has previously rejected the allegation, saying his Samoa visit “was unrelated to vaccines” and that claims he lied to Congress are “false” and “outright defamatory,” per The Guardian.
The issue could take on greater significance if Democrats regain control of Congress in November. Legal experts say lawmakers could then use Kennedy’s testimony as grounds for hearings or an impeachment inquiry.
