Two Democratic senators have launched an investigation into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after reports suggested his testimony to Congress about a 2019 trip to Samoa may have been misleading.
Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) announced the probe on Thursday, citing a letter Kennedy sent to the Samoan prime minister in 2019 that referenced vaccines eight times. During his Senate confirmation hearings in January 2025, Kennedy stated the trip had ‘nothing to do with vaccines.’ The senators requested documents from Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit formerly chaired by Kennedy, including communications with federal officials since January 2025.
The investigation follows reporting by The Associated Press and The Guardian in August that contradicted Kennedy’s testimony. The senators set a December 4 deadline for compliance with their document request.
Key Developments in the Investigation
The senators’ letter to Children’s Health Defense accuses Kennedy of potentially making ‘false statements to Congress,’ a federal crime that could undermine legislative oversight. Wyden and Alsobrooks stated in the letter that they intend to hold Kennedy accountable for ‘the grave harm he has caused to vulnerable children.’ The Department of Health and Human Services has not publicly addressed the allegations beyond stating that the Samoa trip was ‘unrelated to vaccines.’
Background: The 2019 Samoa Trip and Confirmation Hearings
Kennedy traveled to Samoa in 2019 amid a deadly measles outbreak in the country. In his confirmation testimony last year, he repeatedly told lawmakers that the trip was unrelated to vaccines. However, a pre-trip letter sent to then-Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Neioti Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi, on Children’s Health Defense letterhead, included multiple references to vaccines.
The letter, obtained by AP and The Guardian, stated Kennedy’s intention to discuss ‘vaccine safety and the role of vaccination programs in Samoa.’ The discrepancy between the letter and his testimony has prompted the Senate inquiry.
Political and Legal Implications
The investigation is part of a broader effort by Democrats to scrutinize the Trump administration’s officials after regaining control of the House and Senate in midterm elections. The senators’ letter requests documents related to Kennedy’s 2024 presidential campaign, his confirmation process, and all communications with federal officials since January 2025.
Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, has faced repeated scrutiny over his public statements on vaccines. The Senate probe raises questions about the accuracy of his testimony and the potential legal consequences of misleading Congress. The HHS has not provided further clarification on the matter beyond its initial statement.
Next Steps and Deadlines
Children’s Health Defense has until December 4 to comply with the senators’ document request. The outcome of the investigation could determine whether further legal or congressional action is taken against Kennedy. The probe adds to a growing list of inquiries into the Trump administration’s officials by the newly empowered Democratic majority in Congress.