“President Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed” Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said in a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing to discuss the president’s healthcare agenda. He wasn’t alone in this sentiment. Senator Barrasso (R-WY) aligned with Cassidy’s statement, arguing, “I believe one of President Trump's greatest achievements was his bold and successful actions on Covid,” and that, “through Operation Warp Speed the vaccine was developed and distributed quickly, safely, effectively. And I believe it saved many, many lives.” It wasn’t just Republicans either. Senator Hassan (D-NH) said she agreed with President Trump labeling Operation Warp Speed a “monumental national achievement.”
The senators are not wrong. Through unprecedented cooperation between federal government and industry a safe and effective vaccine was brought to market within 10 months and saved millions of lives. Yet this outstanding accomplishment may not receive the recognition it deserves as long as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. continues spreading false and misleading information about the “Trump vaccines.”
Secretary Kennedy has, time and time again, undermined the value of vaccines. His wrath isn’t limited to certain vaccines, but is widespread, and includes the very ones that senators claim Trump deserves the highest form of recognition. There is a growing list of baseless decisions Kennedy has taken to undermine vaccines during his brief but tumultuous tenure. Some of the most attention-grabbing headlines include his cancellation of funds for mRNA vaccine research, firing the entire ACIP panel, firing the CDC director just weeks after vouching for her confirmation, and notably, limiting access to Covid vaccines across the nation.
His hypocrisy is blatant. While limiting the very research that led to the development of the Covid vaccine and stripping Americans from easy access to Covid shots, Kennedy pretended to agree with Cassidy that President Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for Operation Warp Speed. Asking Kennedy if he agreed, he responded “Absolutely, senator.” Yet none of his actions as HHS Secretary support the idea that President Trump should be rewarded for his work during Covid. And he continues to undermine these same vaccines.
Prior to his role in this administration, Kennedy tried to limit access to Trump’s “monumental” vaccine. Cassidy highlighted this, and in speaking to Kennedy, noted that “as lead attorney for the Children’s Health Defense, you engaged in multiple lawsuits attempting to restrict access to the covid vaccine. Again, it surprises me that you think so highly of Operation Warp Speed when as an attorney, you attempted to restrict access.”
He added that since becoming HHS Secretary, Kennedy canceled $500 million in research of the mRNA vaccine, which was the technology used to create the vaccines of Operation Warp Speed. Cassidy painted a clear picture for senators and the American public: Kennedy is not only untrustworthy but does not align with President Trump’s vaccination policy.
All of Kennedy’s actions signify that he is actively working against President Trump’s health agenda. A Nobel rings no bell for him. Instead of supporting one of the most impactful successes of Trump’s first presidency, Kennedy is sowing public distrust in the president’s health leadership.
Peter J. Pitts is President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, a Visiting Professor at the University of Paris School of Medicine, and a former FDA Associate Commissioner.
