Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s abrupt shakeup of the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services sent shockwaves through the health establishment this week — and laid bare some of the forces shaping a turbulent department.
But one source familiar with the internal dynamics of HHS told NOTUS that Kennedy simply suffered a loss of faith in his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff, and that the decision to fire them was a long time coming. While the two HHS officials were given justifications for their terminations, there was no dramatic inciting incident, the source said.
Still, Kennedy’s decision to fire two longtime Washington insiders marks another move by the secretary that could help him claw back some of the independence he gave up when he abandoned his own presidential bid to join forces with Donald Trump.
HHS Chief of Staff Heather Flick Melanson and Deputy Chief of Staff Hannah Anderson were reportedly fired by Kennedy earlier this week. Both joined HHS earlier this year and had considerable Washington experience, especially when compared to other Kennedy staffers. Flick Melanson served as HHS’s acting general counsel, acting secretary and senior adviser to Secretary Alex Azar during the first Trump administration. Anderson was a health policy adviser for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions before joining the conservative America First Policy Institute think tank.
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Matt Buckham, who has been serving as the department’s White House liaison, has been appointed acting chief of staff, according to the HHS website. An HHS spokesperson confirmed Buckham’s new role in a statement to NOTUS.
“Secretary Kennedy thanks the outgoing leadership for their service and looks forward to working closely with Mr. Buckham as the Department continues advancing its mission to Make America Healthy Again,” the spokesperson said.
CNN reported that a source familiar with the decision said Kennedy has not yet decided on permanent replacements for Flick and Melanson.
In addition to the personnel changes at HHS, Kennedy has also been making moves with his political future. His super PAC reportedly co-hosted a call last week with hundreds of supporters, influencers and current political appointees, including Kennedy’s top adviser, Stefanie Spear.
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