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Senator calls for criminal investigation of RFK Jr after Guardian report

Senator calls for criminal investigation of RFK Jr after Guardian report

Summary

A Democratic senator has asked for a criminal investigation into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after reports said he lied during Senate confirmation hearings about a 2019 trip to Samoa related to vaccines. Newly released letters show Kennedy discussed studying vaccines on the trip, contradicting his earlier Senate testimony.

Key Facts

  • Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon called for a criminal referral to the Department of Justice to investigate RFK Jr. for lying to Congress.
  • The Guardian and Associated Press obtained letters through a Freedom of Information lawsuit showing Kennedy’s statements contradicted his Senate testimony.
  • Kennedy told senators his 2019 Samoa trip was unrelated to vaccines, but letters reveal he mentioned vaccines multiple times during that trip.
  • The trip happened while Kennedy led an anti-vaccine group, and months later a measles outbreak in Samoa caused many illnesses and deaths, mostly among young children.
  • Legal experts say lying to Congress is a crime but prosecution depends on the Department of Justice, currently controlled by President Trump’s administration, which may not act.
  • Democrats plan to hold Kennedy accountable if they regain Senate control, possibly through hearings or impeachment inquiries.
  • Several Democratic officials, including Senators Ed Markey and Angela Alsobrooks, have called for Kennedy to resign or be removed from office.
  • Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, who helped during Samoa’s measles outbreak, also urged Kennedy to step down for public health reasons.
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