Pence's Organization Calls for HHS Secretary Kennedy's Dismissal Over Mifepristone Review

Former Vice President Mike Pence's nonprofit organization, Advancing American Freedom, has publicly called for the dismissal of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The organization accuses Kennedy of neglecting to review the abortion pill mifepristone, which has become a contentious issue amid ongoing debates about abortion access in the United States. The statement, shared on the social platform X, claims that Kennedy is "stonewalling pro-life efforts" and failing to respond to requests from state attorneys general and Congress regarding the drug's safety and regulatory review.

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Mifepristone, a medication used for medical abortions, has faced scrutiny from anti-abortion advocates, particularly following the FDA's approval of a new generic version in October. The call for Kennedy's removal follows a similar demand from the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which recently sought the ousting of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary due to perceived delays in reviewing mifepristone. The Biden administration has defended Makary, asserting that he is committed to conducting a thorough review based on scientific data.

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Advancing American Freedom's statement emphasized the need for accountability, asserting that Kennedy's actions mirror those of previous administrations that did not prioritize pro-life initiatives. The organization stated, “HHS Secretary RFK Jr. continues to refuse to review the dangerous chemical abortion pill, mifepristone.” In response to inquiries about the review timeline, Makary has not provided specific details but reiterated the FDA's commitment to monitoring the safety of mifepristone and conducting necessary reviews based on new information.

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Kennedy's position on abortion has evolved over time. During his Senate confirmation hearings, he expressed alignment with President Donald Trump's views, stating that "every abortion is a tragedy." However, he previously identified as "pro-choice" and has publicly stated that he believes the government should not interfere with personal choices regarding one's body. This shift has drawn criticism from both pro-life advocates, who demand more stringent regulations, and pro-choice supporters, who view his current stance as inconsistent.

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While Pence's organization and other anti-abortion groups express dissatisfaction with Kennedy's actions, the HHS has not provided a clear timeline for when the review of mifepristone will be completed. Additionally, there is a lack of consensus on the implications of mifepristone's safety data, with differing interpretations from various stakeholders regarding its risks and benefits.

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• “HHS Secretary RFK Jr. continues to refuse to review the dangerous chemical abortion pill, mifepristone. Despite the calls of state attorneys general across the country and pro-life promises made to Congress, RFK Jr. has followed in the footsteps of the Obama and Biden administrations by stonewalling pro-life efforts at HHS.” — Advancing American Freedom

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• “As with all drugs, FDA continues to closely monitor the postmarketing safety data on mifepristone for the medical termination of early pregnancy,” — Marty Makary, FDA Commissioner

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• “I don’t think the government has any business telling people what they can or cannot do with their body.” — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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