News

CDC Trust Crisis — Kennedy Plan Sparks Uproar

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, citing deep-rooted conflicts of interest that have transformed the panel into “little more than a rubber stamp” for pharmaceutical interests.

Key Takeaways

• Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has removed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), claiming persistent conflicts of interest have compromised their objectivity.
• The committee, established in 1964, plays a crucial role in determining vaccine recommendations that influence national health policy and insurance coverage.
• Kennedy aims to restore public trust in vaccine science through this overhaul, with new committee members set to meet from June 25-27 at CDC headquarters.

Restoring Public Trust or Undermining Public Health?

Kennedy has framed his decision as essential for rebuilding public confidence in vaccine science and eliminating corruption from the approval process. His concerns center on what he describes as the committee’s failure to provide proper scrutiny of vaccines, particularly those administered to vulnerable populations. “It has never recommended against a vaccine–even those later withdrawn for safety reasons. It has failed to scrutinize vaccine products given to babies and pregnant women,” Kennedy asserted in his statement.

“A clean sweep is necessary to reestablish public confidence in vaccine science, ACIP new members will prioritize public health and evidence-based medicine. The Committee will no longer function as a rubber stamp for industry profit-taking agendas,” Kennedy said.

One Year in Jail? TRUMP Drops Bombshell

President Trump has proposed a mandatory one-year jail sentence for burning the American flag, directly challenging a long-standing Supreme Court decision that protects such acts under the First Amendment.

Key Takeaways

• President Trump announced plans to work with senators to implement a one-year jail sentence for burning the American flag
• The proposal comes amid ongoing anti-ICE protests in major cities where flag burning has occurred
• The Supreme Court’s 1989 Texas v. Johnson ruling established flag burning as protected symbolic speech
• Trump deployed 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to protect federal officials conducting deportation operations
• Trump suggested California Governor Gavin Newsom could potentially face charges for obstructing ICE operations
• “They proudly carry flags of other countries, but they don’t carry the American flag. They only burn it,” said President Donald TrumpThe President further committed to this position by stating, “People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year. And we’ll see if we can get that done.” Trump revealed he is already collaborating with several senators, including Missouri GOP Senator Josh Hawley, to advance legislation that would criminalize flag burning. This marks a significant policy initiative that will likely face constitutional challenges given current Supreme Court precedent.