Bill Cassidy who voted to confirm RFK Jr blasted for his criticism of Trump’s vaccine plan: ‘You own this mess’

Bill Cassidy who voted to confirm RFK Jr blasted for his criticism of Trump’s vaccine plan: ‘You own this mess’ ‘You voted for RFK Jr. despite knowing full well he’s an anti-vaxxer…You own this mess,’ wrote one commenter - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Republican Senator Bill Cassidy — who was the deciding vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — was blasted for criticizing the Trump administration’s new vaccine guidance. On Monday, President Donald Trump met with Kennedy at the White House to sign an executive order that significantly alters federal guidance for childhood vaccines, including by calling for fewer shots and for the MMR vaccine to be split up into three separate doses. “My administration is recognizing gold standard childhood vaccine recommendations for only 11 core vaccinations against the most serious and dangerous diseases,” the president said during the Oval Office ceremony before bringing up unsubstantiated theories about a supposed link between vaccines and autism. Soon after, multiple medical experts condemned the executive order, including Dr. Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, who said Trump’s announcement spread fear and confusion in an area where “there doesn’t need to be any of that.” Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican and gastroenterologist, also publicly registered his strong disapproval. “I’m a doctor. This executive order is wrong. The President does not have the expertise to make these changes,” he wrote on X on Monday. “Vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. Vaccines are effective. Vaccines DO NOT cause autism.” “Breaking up vaccines will mean children have to get more shots to get the same protection, not fewer shots. It will increase hesitancy and make children less safe,” Cassidy added. “Parents should listen to their child’s pediatrician about vaccines rather than listening to an inaccurate executive order. This is so wrong.” The lawmaker’s post drew over six million views, and tens of thousands of comments — many of which were sharply critical. “Remember that time you voted to confirm a committed lifelong antivaxxer as HHS Secretary?” responded Neil Stone, an infectious diseases doctor. An X account called Republicans against Trump wrote: “You voted for RFK Jr. despite knowing full well he’s an anti-vaxxer, conspiracy theorist crank…You own this mess.” Countless other similar comments poured in. “Gee what if you had done something when you had the chance,” Clara Jeffrey, the editor-in-chief of Mother Jones, wrote in reply. Adam Kinzinger, a former Democratic congressman from Illinois, chimed in: “If only someone warned you.” Cassidy, who practiced medicine for several decades before his election to the Senate in 2014, played a decisive role in confirming Kennedy as HHS secretary in February 2025. Days ahead of the vote, Cassidy announced that he would support Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic, saying he had considered the matter “exhaustively” and that he had been provided certain assurances about the future of vaccine policy. “Mr. Kennedy and the administration reached out seeking to reassure me regarding their commitment to protecting the public health benefit of vaccination,” the senator said in a February 4 floor speech. “I will carefully watch for any effort to wrongfully sow public fear about vaccines between confusing references of coincidence and anecdote,” he said. “But my support is built on assurances that this will not have to be a concern and that he and I can work together to build an agenda to make America healthy again.” Nine days later, Kennedy was confirmed to his post in a 52–48 vote, with Cassidy voting in favor of his nomination. A similar situation unfolded earlier this month. Cassidy, who is up for re-election this year in a state that Trump won handedly in 2024, announced last week that he would support acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation. The Louisiana lawmaker had previously raised concerns about Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, including over the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. “Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche,” Cassidy told the Senate floor as he backed the U.S. acting attorney general. “It is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump and who indeed may not be as good as Mr Blanche.” Blanche was confirmed last week in a 50-49 vote. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] SEN.CASSIDY