Michigan Democrat moves to impeach RFK Jr, alleging ‘abuse of authority’

A Democratic lawmaker from Michigan has introduced articles of impeachment against Robert F Kennedy, the US health secretary, accusing him of “abuse of authority and undermining of the public health”.

Representative Haley Stevens, who is currently running for Senate, formally introduced the articles on impeachment on Wednesday, several months after she announced that she vowed to file the articles.

“Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has turned his back on science, on public health, and on the American people – spreading conspiracies and lies, driving up costs, and putting lives at risk,” Stevens said in a news release on Wednesday announcing the move.

“Under his watch, families are less safe and less healthy, people are paying more for care, lifesaving research has been gutted, and vaccines have been restricted. He has driven up health care costs while tearing down the scientific institutions that keep Michiganders and families across America safe. His actions are reckless, his leadership is harmful, and his tenure has become a direct threat to our nation’s health and security. Congress cannot and will not stand by while one man dismantles decades of medical progress.”

Given that the House of Representatives is currently under Republican control, it is unlikely that the articles of impeachment will advance. The measure also does not have the support of Democratic leaders, according to the New York Times.

The Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian on the articles of impeachment, but a spokesperson for the department told the Times that Kennedy “remains focused on the work of improving Americans’ health and lowering costs, not on partisan political stunts that have no merit.”

Since taking office, Kennedy has received criticism from lawmakers and health professionals, including over his changes to vaccine policy which medical experts say are helping to “sow distrust in vaccines”, as well as the cutting of research funding, and mass firings at the HHS.

In October, six former US surgeons general, warned that the policy changes enacted by Kennedy are “endangering the health of the nation”.

“Science and expertise have taken a back seat to ideology and misinformation. Morale has plummeted in our health agencies, and talent is fleeing at a time when we face rising threats – from resurgent infectious diseases to worsening chronic illnesses,” they said.