Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Fires Two Top Aides and Appoints New Acting Chief of Staff at HHS

In mid-2025, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a significant staff shakeup, firing his chief of staff Heather Flick Melanson and deputy chief of staff for policy Hannah Anderson due to loss of confidence. Heather Flick Melanson had served in various senior roles under the Trump administration's first term, and Hannah Anderson was affiliated with the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank. Both were GOP loyalists with MAGA credentials hired before Kennedy's confirmation to President Donald Trump's Cabinet.

Following these departures, Kennedy appointed Matt Buckham as the new acting chief of staff immediately. Buckham, previously Kennedy's White House liaison, brings experience in personnel strategy, organizational management, and recruitment of political appointees to HHS. The shakeup occurred amid broader tensions between Kennedy and the White House related to ongoing measles outbreaks, controversial vaccine policies, layoffs, grant cuts, and a legal challenge by 19 Democratic-led states that resulted in a Rhode Island federal judge ordering a halt to his agency restructuring plans.

During a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the HHS FY26 budget, Kennedy defended his overhaul efforts under intense questioning, suggesting potential future rehiring of some workers despite current legal restraints on organizational changes and layoffs. This event marks notable turbulence within HHS leadership soon after Kennedy assumed office.