‘RFK Jr. is the Most Popular Trump Cabinet Member’ Despite Democrat Outrage [WATCH]

CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten reported Thursday that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is currently the “most popular” official in President Donald Trump’s cabinet, despite months of controversy surrounding his policies and leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Enten presented aggregate data showing that Kennedy’s net approval rating stands at -7, higher than several other top officials in the Trump administration, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“RFK Jr. is not a drag on President Trump. He’s not the most embattled. In fact, he is the most popular official in Trump’s cabinet at least according to the poll,” Enten said.

Kennedy’s leadership at HHS has generated consistent backlash from Democrats and former CDC officials.

He dismissed CDC director Susan Monarez in August as part of a broader restructuring of the agency.

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Two months earlier, in June, he dismissed 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which had advised on recommended vaccines, citing what he described as “persistent conflicts of interest.”

On June 4, a member of the panel resigned following Kennedy’s decision to remove the COVID-19 vaccine from the recommended childhood immunization schedule.

Kennedy defended his actions during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing Thursday, where he faced sharp criticism from Democrats.

Lawmakers pressed him on his overhaul of the CDC and his decisions on vaccines.

Kennedy pushed back, accusing the CDC of abandoning its mission during the pandemic.

“These changes were absolutely necessary to restore the CDC’s role as the world’s gold standard public health with a central mission of protecting Americans from infectious disease,” Kennedy said.

“CDC failed that responsibility miserably during COVID when its disastrous and nonsensical policies destroyed small businesses, violated civil liberties, closed our schools and caused generational damage in doing so, masked infants with no science and heightened economic inequality.”

🚨@SecKennedy is DELIVERING a CDC SHAKEUP

“These changes were necessary adjustments to restore the agency to its role as the world’s gold standard health agency…CDC failed…MISERABLY during Covid.

We need unbiased, politics-free, transparent, evidence-based science”

GOOD! pic.twitter.com/I6OFQvBKOb

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 4, 2025

The hearing grew tense as Kennedy clashed with several senators over his handling of the CDC and vaccine policy.

He defended his actions as essential reforms after what he called “disastrous failures” by the agency in recent years.

In response, committee members accused Kennedy of undermining confidence in vaccines and public health institutions.

Several Democrats renewed their calls for Kennedy to step down, citing concerns that his leadership is destabilizing long-standing public health frameworks.

Following the hearing, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer issued statements urging Kennedy to resign.

Yo, Hakeem. You may wanna take a look at this.https://t.co/MZG0Yn8qJY

— AwakenedOutlaw⚒️ (@AwakenedOutlaw) September 5, 2025

Their calls add to a growing list of Democratic lawmakers who have criticized Kennedy’s leadership since he assumed the HHS post.

Despite the mounting pressure, Kennedy remains one of the most visible and, according to polling, most favorably viewed members of President Trump’s administration.

His ongoing battles with Democrats and his efforts to reshape the CDC are likely to remain a focal point of debate as the administration continues to pursue changes to federal health policy.