RFK Jr. to Speak at Anti-Vaccine Group’s Conference as HHS Secretary

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is slated to deliver a keynote address this week at a Washington, D.C., conference organized by Children’s Health Defense (CHD). HHS declined to comment on the appearance.

Kennedy co-founded the World Mercury Project in 2015, a nonprofit that advocated removing mercury from vaccines. He later rebranded the organization as Children’s Health Defense and served as its chairman and chief lawyer until 2024, when he stepped down to run for president. During his tenure he earned a six-figure salary and generated additional revenue through lawsuits targeting vaccine manufacturers and state vaccine policies. Although he has publicly sought to distance himself from CHD since joining the Trump administration, the group remains a leading force in the anti-vaccination movement.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kennedy told lawmakers he would not undermine public confidence in vaccines and affirmed, “I am supportive of vaccines.” He also noted that he had resigned from CHD and had no involvement with the organization’s merchandise. The administration has not issued a formal response to the conference. President Trump has previously echoed debunked claims linking vaccines to autism, reflecting a broader shift in the administration toward questioning established vaccine safety narratives.

• “Are you supportive of these onesies?” — Sen. Bernie Sanders — Sen. Bernie Sanders