Newly obtained correspondence indicates that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now US health secretary, misrepresented the purpose of a 2019 trip to Samoa during at least two Senate confirmation hearings last year, telling lawmakers the visit had “nothing to do with vaccines” despite writing to the Samoan prime minister that he wanted to study the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine there, according to documents shared by the Guardian and the Associated Press.
The letters, dated from 2019 and obtained through public records requests, show Kennedy explicitly stating in his letter to the Samoan prime minister that his interest in visiting the Pacific island nation was to investigate the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The word “vaccine” or “vaccination” appears eight times in the letter, directly contradicting statements Kennedy made under oath during his confirmation process.
During a January 2025 Senate hearing, Kennedy was asked by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) about the Samoa trip. He replied, “That trip had nothing to do with vaccines.” He repeated a similar denial in a second hearing in March 2025.
Kennedy’s office did not respond to requests for comment. His supporters have pointed to his broader record of questioning vaccine safety as a matter of public debate, and some have argued that the trip could have had multiple purposes—including discussions about non-communicable diseases or health infrastructure—even if vaccine research was part of the agenda.
However, the newly surfaced letters leave little room for ambiguity about Kennedy’s stated objectives. In one passage, Kennedy wrote, “I would like to explore the question of whether the MMR vaccine could have played a role in the 2018 measles outbreak in Samoa,” a reference to an outbreak that claimed 83 lives, mostly among children under five. Samoa’s low vaccination rate at the time—around 30%—was widely cited by health officials as a contributing factor.
The revelation raises legal and ethical questions about whether Kennedy misled Congress, which could be grounds for perjury if lawmakers choose to investigate further. As health secretary, Kennedy oversees the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—agencies whose vaccine recommendations he has often criticized.
The story also highlights Kennedy’s long history of skepticism toward vaccines, which he has linked to autism and other conditions despite extensive scientific evidence refuting those claims. His appointment was highly controversial, with many in the medical community expressing alarm.
Some critics have called for a formal inquiry into whether Kennedy violated Senate rules or federal law by making false statements during a confirmation hearing. Senator Murray, who questioned Kennedy about the Samoa trip, said in a statement that “if the secretary lied under oath, he must be held accountable.” No formal investigation has been announced as of this writing.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Credibility of a top health official: If RFK Jr misled Congress during his confirmation, it undermines trust in the leadership of HHS at a time of critical public-health decisions (vaccines, pandemics, drug approvals).
- Legal accountability: Providing false testimony under oath to Congress is potentially a crime (perjury or false statements); this could trigger ethics investigations or even impeachment proceedings.
- Vaccine policy impact: Kennedy’s anti-vaccine stance, combined with evidence he actively pursued anti-vaccine objectives while publicly denying it, could affect federal vaccine recommendations and public confidence in immunization programs.
Background
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental lawyer and member of the Kennedy political dynasty, has for decades been a leading figure in the anti-vaccine movement, promoting debunked theories linking childhood vaccines to autism and other disorders. Despite widespread scientific rejection of these claims, his influence grew through books, speeches, and his organization, Children’s Health Defense.
In 2018, Samoa experienced a severe measles outbreak linked to a sharp drop in vaccination rates following a 2016 incident where two infants died after receiving improperly mixed vaccines. Kennedy visited Samoa in 2019, meeting with government officials and locals. At the time, he publicly downplayed the role of vaccines in combating the outbreak, instead suggesting the deaths were caused by other factors.
Kennedy was nominated by President [Administration] in late 2024 to lead HHS. His confirmation process was bitterly partisan, with Democrats and some Republicans raising concerns about his anti-vaccine activism. He repeatedly assured lawmakers that his personal views would not affect his official duties. The new documents directly challenge the veracity of those assurances regarding the Samoa trip.
Key Perspectives
[Senate Democrats and public-health advocates]: They see the documents as clear evidence of deception. They argue that any official who lies under oath—especially one responsible for national health policy—should face consequences, including potential referral for prosecution or removal from office. They emphasize that the public trust requires transparency.
[Kennedy’s supporters and some Republicans]: They argue the trip was multifaceted and that Kennedy’s sworn testimony may have been narrowly interpreted. Some claim the letters are being taken out of context or that Kennedy’s definition of “vaccination” was specific to the visit’s pretext. They view this as a political attack designed to discredit a reform-minded health secretary.
[Legal and ethics experts]: The threshold for proving perjury is high—it requires a false statement made knowingly and with intent to deceive. The letters may not meet that bar if Kennedy can argue he misunderstood the question or that his trip covered broader health issues. Still, the discrepancy is significant enough to warrant investigation.
What to Watch
- Congressional reaction: Will the Senate Judiciary or HELP committees launch an investigation or issue subpoenas for further documents?
- Kennedy’s response: How he explains the contradiction—whether he admits error, offers new context, or deflects—will shape his political future.
- Legal referrals: The Justice Department could receive a referral for perjury investigation, though it is rare for such cases against cabinet officials to proceed without clear evidence of deliberate falsehood.
- Public opinion shift: If more documents emerge or Kennedy’s denials are further discredited, his ability to lead HHS—especially on vaccine-related policies—may erode.