RFK Jr. Shakes Up HHS with Top Official Departures and Promotions

Two top HHS officials to leave, while others are promoted to new senior roles.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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In a major restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill and General Counsel Mike Stuart are expected to depart the agency. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced several promotions, including Chris Klomp becoming chief counselor overseeing all HHS operations, and Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham being elevated to senior counselor roles at the FDA.

Why it matters

The shakeup at HHS signals a shift in priorities under Kennedy's leadership, with a focus on implementing 'Make America Healthy Again' policies around dietary guidelines, eliminating artificial food dyes, and improving healthcare affordability. The departures and promotions are seen as a way to more efficiently and effectively drive the administration's health agenda ahead of the midterm elections.

The details

HHS Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill and General Counsel Mike Stuart are expected to leave their current positions, though they may be offered other roles within the administration. Chris Klomp, previously the deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will become the new chief counselor overseeing all HHS operations. Kyle Diamantas, the deputy commissioner for human foods, and Grace Graham, the deputy commissioner for policy, legislation and international affairs, have both been promoted to senior counselor roles at the FDA, while also retaining their current positions. John Brooks will also become a senior counselor at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services while keeping his role as chief policy and regulatory officer.

  • On Thursday, February 13, 2026, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the leadership changes.
  • The restructuring is expected to take place ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who is leading the restructuring efforts.

Jim O'Neill

The current Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who is expected to depart the agency.

Mike Stuart

The current General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services, who is expected to depart the agency.

Chris Klomp

The former deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who has been promoted to chief counselor overseeing all HHS operations.

Kyle Diamantas

The current deputy commissioner for human foods at the FDA, who has been promoted to a senior counselor role.

Grace Graham

The current deputy commissioner for policy, legislation and international affairs at the FDA, who has been promoted to a senior counselor role.

John Brooks

The current chief policy and regulatory officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who has been promoted to a senior counselor role.

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What they’re saying

“What basically happened was that HHS Secretary Kennedy, and also the White House, realized that we want to be most efficiently and most effectively implementing that policy and moving the needle on these issues that we see as very clear and unambiguous wins for us.”

— White House official (Politico)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The shakeup at HHS signals a shift in priorities under Kennedy's leadership, with a focus on implementing 'Make America Healthy Again' policies around dietary guidelines, eliminating artificial food dyes, and improving healthcare affordability. The departures and promotions are seen as a way to more efficiently and effectively drive the administration's health agenda ahead of the midterm elections.