Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s speech at the FDA caused a wave of controversy as it prompted some staff members to leave mid-discourse.
His remarks included the use of a derogatory term and claims against the FDA, leading to significant backlash and highlighting issues around transparency and autism research, Daily Mail reported.
The speech lasted 40 minutes and included language that provoked strong reactions from the audience, particularly his use of the term 'retarded.' Several FDA employees reportedly left the room due to their discomfort with Kennedy’s language and accusations. These sentiments were confirmed by two anonymous attendees.
Just before his FDA appearance, Kennedy had dismissed thousands of Health and Human Services employees, reducing the workforce significantly. This workforce downsizing included a substantial number of FDA employees, aiming to cut down the number from 82,000 to 62,000. He openly criticized the FDA staff, accusing them of being under undue influence from the industries they oversee, coining them as "sock puppets."
Kennedy also took the opportunity to reflect on his past experiences, mentioning time spent at Wassaic Home for the Retarded during his high school years. This institution, which closed its doors in 2013, became a point of reference in his address as he claimed a strong family commitment to related issues.
His speech included comments about the rise in autism diagnoses. He argued that his ongoing research would uncover the cause of autism by September, calling for transparency and accountability within health agencies.
Kennedy focused his remarks on the burgeoning prevalence of autism diagnoses. Specifically, recent statistics from the CDC reveal that autism affects 1 in 31 children—a figure Kennedy emphasized as a stark contrast to numbers from previous years. Consequently, he bases his commitment to uncovering the cause of the so-called 'autism epidemic' on this alarming increase.
Moreover, Kennedy's comments were part of his larger effort, which involves extensive research into uncovering the reasons behind this health crisis. He further promised to present his findings by September and reiterated the necessity for a transparent FDA to better address such health concerns.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: "Because of my family's commitment to these issues, I spent 200 hours at Wassaic Home for the Retarded when I was in high school."
The theme of agency capture came up frequently in Kennedy's discourse, where he highlighted concerns about the FDA's oversight abilities. His remarks aligned with broader cultural discussions championed by figures like Joe Rogan and Elon Musk, aiming to reclaim certain terms in public dialogue. His connections to these societal shifts have been noted regarding the usage of offensive language.
Kennedy also made statements about President Trump’s 'Deep State' theory, asserting its reality beyond being a simple narrative device. He spoke on the influence of unseen forces within the government, distancing it from the typical conspiracy-focused depiction. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon defended Kennedy's actions, acknowledging the importance of exposing truths, especially concerning the FDA’s alleged systemic capture by the industries it regulates.
Andrew Nixon, HHS spokesperson: "Kennedy was 'telling the truth that many Americans already know: for too long, the FDA has been captured by the very industries it is supposed to regulate... Calling this out and encouraging radical transparency is not controversial — it's leadership." Nixon further asserted that Kennedy's push for transparency and reform was necessary to move away from past practices of automatic approvals and silence.
Kennedy’s remarks during the FDA speech have sparked renewed discussions on several fronts, including the impact of deep-state theories, the autism epidemic, and the much-debated topic of agency regulation and workforce downsizing. The reaction to his choice of language has underscored the divisive nature of these discussions and the scale of challenges facing the FDA and health institutions.
