In a heated Senate testimony on September 17, 2025, former U.S. CDC Director Dr. Elena Monarez accused Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current Health and Human Services Secretary, of politicizing the agency and undermining public health efforts. Monarez highlighted instances where scientific decisions were allegedly influenced by political agendas, sparking debate over the independence of federal health institutions. This confrontation comes amid ongoing controversies surrounding Kennedy's unconventional views on vaccines and public health policy.