RFK Jr. Promised to Restore Trust in US Health Agencies, But Survey Shows Erosion

One year after taking over HHS, Kennedy's policies have deepened public confusion and distrust

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services one year ago, he has defended his upending of federal health policy by saying the changes will restore trust in America's public health agencies. However, surveys show trust in the agencies Kennedy leads is falling, rather than rising, as the country's health landscape undergoes dramatic change under his leadership. Kennedy has clashed with top medical groups who say he's not following the science, and his promotion of false and unverified information is causing major damage.

Why it matters

Kennedy's mandate was to restore transparency and trust in public health agencies, but his actions have had the opposite effect. The erosion of trust in institutions like the CDC and FDA is deeply concerning, as it undermines the public's ability to make informed health decisions and could lead to a surge in preventable illnesses if vaccination rates decline.

The details

Since taking over HHS, Kennedy has defended his upending of federal health policy by saying the changes will restore trust. However, he has taken steps that diverge from medical consensus, such as announcing COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, directing the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism, and reducing the number of vaccines recommended for every child. These moves have shocked professional medical groups, who have urged Americans not to follow the new vaccine recommendations.

  • Kennedy was sworn in as HHS Secretary one year ago.
  • In May 2026, Kennedy announced COVID-19 vaccines were no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women.
  • In November 2026, Kennedy directed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism.
  • Earlier in 2027, the CDC under Kennedy's leadership reduced the number of vaccines recommended for every child.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current Secretary of Health and Human Services, who previously was a prominent voice in the anti-vaccine movement.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson

The director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, who said the public can no longer confidently go to federal websites and know they are getting the 'best of what science knows'.

Dr. Rob Davidson

A Michigan emergency physician who runs the Committee to Protect Health Care, and who said Kennedy is trying to 'cure the distrust' he helped create by promoting the same disinformation.

Alix Ellis

A hairstylist and mom in Madison, Georgia, who said she lost trust in the CDC and other health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Megan Ranney

The dean of the Yale School of Public Health, who said the confusion is contributing to the recent rise in diseases like whooping cough and measles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We're going to tell them what we know, we're going to tell them what we don't know, and we're going to tell them what we're researching and how we're doing it. It's the only way to restore trust in the agency — by making it trustworthy.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary (Senate confirmation hearing)

“You fed those people false information to create the distrust, and now you're sweeping into power and you're going to cure the distrust by promoting the same disinformation. It's upside-down.”

— Dr. Rob Davidson, Emergency physician (Committee to Protect Health Care)

“This idea that you should trust the experts, a good mother doesn't do that.”

— Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (The Katie Miller Podcast)

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

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.