Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired two top deputies at the Department of Health and Human Services:
Heather Flick Melanson (chief of staff) and Hannah Anderson (deputy chief of staff of policy)24.
No public reason was given for the dismissals, but a department spokesperson confirmed the leadership changes2.
Matt Buckham, who has served as Kennedy’s White House liaison overseeing recruitment and onboarding of political appointees, has been named acting chief of staff24.
Multiple federal officials described Anderson and Flick as Trump loyalists installed to ‘keep tabs’ on Kennedy and ensure the president’s agenda4.
These firings follow the recent departure of other Trump loyalists from the department, illustrating an ongoing shakeup of HHS personnel under Kennedy's tenure4.
Kennedy’s spokesperson stated he thanks the outgoing leadership and looks forward to working with Buckham to advance the department’s mission24.
Sources:
2. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/robert-kennedy-jr-fires-top-deputies-department-health/story?id=123795370
4. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-ousts-two-trump-loyalists-hhs/