Top HHS Officials Exit as Kennedy Jr. Shifts Focus to Midterms

Departures of Deputy Secretary and General Counsel come amid restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is undergoing a leadership shakeup as the Trump administration seeks to refocus the agency's priorities ahead of the midterm elections. Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill and General Counsel Mike Stuart are departing their roles, as the White House aims to streamline operations and address perceived dysfunction within HHS.

Why it matters

The changes at HHS reflect a broader effort by the administration to exert greater control over the department and steer it towards policies that align with its political objectives as it approaches the midterm elections. The focus on issues like drug pricing, food safety, and the 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda suggests a strategy to appeal to key voter demographics and demonstrate tangible progress on health-related concerns.

The details

The White House has indicated that the restructuring is intended to streamline operations and address issues that have contributed to instability within the agency. Officials have emphasized a desire to focus on health policy areas that resonate with voters, particularly those related to drug pricing and food safety. The staffing changes include the elevation of four political appointees to more senior roles earlier this week, including Chris Klomp, Kyle Diamantas, Grace Graham, and John Brooks.

  • Jim O'Neill has been serving as acting director of the CDC since August 28, 2025.
  • Mike Stuart's departure comes after his involvement in the department's efforts to identify and address fraud in federal health care programs.

The players

Jim O'Neill

The departing Deputy Secretary of HHS.

Mike Stuart

The departing General Counsel of HHS.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current Health and Human Services Secretary.

Chris Klomp

Formerly the deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), he has been appointed chief counselor, overseeing all HHS operations.

Ralph Abraham

A physician and former Louisiana surgeon general, he was sworn in as principal deputy director of the CDC in December.

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What they’re saying

“The United States losing its measles elimination status would be 'just the cost of doing business,'”

— Ralph Abraham, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC (Politico)

What’s next

The White House could appoint Abraham or another Senate-confirmed official as acting director of the CDC. However, under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, any such appointment would be limited to 210 days from the date the position became vacant, a deadline that falls in late March.

The takeaway

The shakeup at HHS reflects the administration's efforts to exert greater control over the department and align its priorities with politically advantageous health policy issues ahead of the midterm elections. The focus on areas like drug pricing, food safety, and the 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda suggests a strategy to appeal to key voter demographics and demonstrate progress on health-related concerns.