Alleged False Testimony by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on His 2019 Samoa Trip

During his Senate confirmation hearings in January 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote to Samoan Prime Minister Tuila‘epa Sa‘ilele Malielegaoi on January 20, 2019 proposing a study of the nation’s measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, using the word “vaccine” or “vaccination” eight times. The discrepancy has prompted senior Democrats and watchdog groups to call for a criminal investigation under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which criminalizes materially false statements to Congress.

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Kennedy led the anti-vaccine nonprofit Children’s Health Defense when two infants died in Samoa after an improperly mixed MMR dose in July 2018. The tragedy led Samoa to suspend all vaccinations for ten months, dropping immunization rates from 84 % to 31 % before a measles outbreak in mid-2019 killed 83 people, most under five. Kennedy’s May-June 2019 trip, accompanied by his wife Cheryl Hines and CHD colleague Michael Graven, was described by Samoan officials as an “independent health assessment” of MMR vaccines.

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• Two infant deaths in 2018 were later attributed to a pharmacy error.

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• Vaccination coverage fell to 31 % before the outbreak, up from 84 % four years earlier.

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• The outbreak sickened more than 5,700 Samoans and killed 83.

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• As of August 20 this year, the United States has recorded 2,777 confirmed measles cases, including 38 new outbreaks.

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HHS maintains that Kennedy’s Samoa visit “was unrelated to vaccines” and calls any claim that he lied to Congress “defamatory.” American Oversight sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro requesting a criminal investigation. The Justice Department has not commented.

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Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said the evidence “shows a pattern of falsehoods” and urged Republicans to refer the matter to the Justice Department. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) called the alleged misrepresentation “a pattern, not a slip” and urged Kennedy’s resignation.

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• “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.” — Ron Wyden

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• “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,” — Ed Markey

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Legal experts note the statute of limitations for false statements to Congress is five years, so charges remain possible. Sources differ on whether Kennedy’s testimony was given under oath; HHS argues oath status is irrelevant, while some Senate staff say it may affect prosecutorial discretion. No agency has confirmed whether the Justice Department will act, and the White House has not responded.

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American Oversight’s letter sets a deadline for the Justice Department to consider a referral; no decision has been announced. Senate analysts note that if Democrats regain control in the 2026 elections, the letters could be used for new hearings or an impeachment inquiry. HHS has declined to make Kennedy available for comment, and the Department of State continues to release additional diplomatic records monthly.

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