US senators probe Kennedy over Samoa trip and vaccine claims

Two Democratic senators have opened an investigation into whether Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lied to Congress about the purpose of a 2019 trip to Samoa. Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland sent a letter on Wednesday to Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit formerly chaired by Kennedy.

The lawmakers requested a broad range of documents related to Kennedy’s Samoa travel, his 2024 presidential campaign, and his Senate confirmation process. They also asked for all communications between the group and federal officials since President Donald Trump’s second term began in January 2025. The group was given a deadline of December 4 to comply.

“We intend to hold Secretary Kennedy accountable for the serious harm he has caused to vulnerable children.”

Reports by The Associated Press and The Guardian published in August appear to refute Kennedy’s testimony. During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy repeatedly told lawmakers that his visit to Samoa before a deadly measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines.” However, a letter he sent to Samoa’s prime minister before the trip, on Children’s Health Defense letterhead, used the words vaccine or vaccination eight times.

Wyden and Alsobrooks wrote that they intend to hold Kennedy accountable for harm to vulnerable children and for any false statements made to Congress. They said false statements undermine the Senate’s ability to fulfill its constitutional duties.

The senators are currently seeking voluntary cooperation from the organization. If it declines to provide the requested information, it is likely to face a congressional subpoena early next year, when Democrats hold a majority. Hawaii’s Democratic governor, Josh Green, said before Kennedy’s confirmation that he had treated Samoan measles patients in 2019 and blamed Kennedy personally for preventable deaths.