Vice President JD Vance took to social media on Thursday to denounce Senate Democrats after a contentious hearing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In a profanity-laced post on X, Vance described the senators as ‘full of s— and everyone knows it,’ a direct response to their sharp criticism of Kennedy during the Senate Finance Committee hearing.
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., faced Kennedy with accusations that his policies endanger children and are driven by conspiracy theories. Wyden specifically called out Kennedy for having ‘no regrets’ about a ‘fundamentally cruel’ agenda. Kennedy, however, challenged Wyden by pointing out the rise in chronic disease rates and questioned Wy’ts long history in office, suggesting it might be a reason for his criticisms.
Vance’s post quickly gained traction, with Kennedy reposting it, acknowledging that Vance had ‘put your finger squarely on the preeminent problem.’ This moment of solidarity underscored the growing political divide, with the White House squarely aligning itself behind Kennedy against the Democratic leadership.
Other senior White House officials, including Press Secretary Karoline Leav.org and Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich, added their voices to the support, labeling Democrats as part of a ‘failed medical orthodoxy’ that has allegedly contributed to America’s declining health standards. Budowich emphasized that Democrats ‘seem uninterested in health or human services,’ further deepening the political fray.
Kennedy’s testimony was preceded by backlash from over 1,000 current and former HHS employees who called for his resignation, indicating the significant internal and external pressures facing the secretary. Despite this, Kennedy defended his department’s work, stating that under his leadership, HHS has been the most proactive in its history, addressing a wide range of health and safety issues.
‘We’re ending gain of function research, child mutilation, and reducing animal testing,’ Kennedy stated, alongside addressing issues like the East Palestine chemical spill and approving a record number of drugs at the FDA. These claims were made amidst the ongoing congressional scrutiny, with the Biden administration facing growing criticism for its handling of public health and human services.
Meanwhile, Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, who chaired the Senate Finance Committee, and others have yet to respond to inquiries about the hearing. The political and public pressure on Kennedy and the administration is intensifying, with the outcome of this ongoing debate likely to shape future health policy and political dynamics in Washington.