Prominent doctors have spoken out in defense of Peter Marks, one of the top vaccine specialists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after he announced he was resigning on Friday with a letter highly critical of new Health and Human Services Department (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

One health expert described the move as a “gutting of expertise inside the FDA,” while another described Kennedy Jr.’s position on vaccines as a “misguided obsession.”

Newsweek contacted the HHS for comment on Saturday outside of regular office hours via online press inquiry form.

Why It Matters

President Donald Trump appointed Kennedy Jr., who was running for the presidency as an independent before dropping out and endorsing Trump, as the new HHS secretary following his inauguration on January 20. Kennedy Jr. was previously a renowned vaccine sceptic, who peddled debunked claims linking certain vaccines to autism, though he has moderated his position since taking office.

The U.S. is currently battling a measles outbreak with cases reported in 18 states, the epicenter of which is in Texas and New Mexico. Thus far two measles-related deaths have been reported, one in each of Texas and New Mexico. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the vast majority of cases have been in people who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status.

What To Know

In his resignation letter to the HHS, a copy of which was acquired by The Wall Street Journal, Marks said: “It has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”

Marks noted the ongoing measles outbreak, which he said: “Reminds us of what happens when confidence in well-established science underlying public health and well-being is undermined.”

According to The Wall Street Journal Marks had been given the option of resigning from his post or being fired.

In a statement provided to the BBC, the HHS said if Marks “does not want to get behind restoring science to its golden standard and promoting radical transparency, then he has no place at FDA under the strong leadership of Secretary Kennedy.”

What People Are Saying

Since the news broke, a wave of medical experts have spoken out in Marks’ defense, including Professor Jonathan Reiner, who teaches at the George Washington School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Reiner said: “This was entirely predictable. RFK Jr. doesn’t believe that any vaccine is safe and effective, and he’s going to impose his misguided obsession on 340 million Americans.”

Rhode Island-based physician Ashish K. Jha commented: “Peter Marks is one of the most brilliant, dedicated scientists and public servants. He helped usher in scientific rigor and transparency into the FDA.

“And tonight, he is being pushed out. Making the FDA dramatically weaker, less effective. This is not how we make America healthy.”

He added: “If you use vaccines or treatments to keep you healthy and safe, understand that what we have is a gutting of expertise inside the FDA.”

Eric Feigl-Ding, a public-health expert with over 700,000 X followers, commented: “Trump WH & RFK Jr just pushed out Peter Marks, the nation’s top vaccine regulator and an architect of [COVID-19 vaccine] Operation Warp Speed. Marks had overseen FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research since 2016, was offered the choice to resign or be fired.”

Dr. Syra Madad, chief biopreparedness officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, also said “RFK Jr. forces out Peter Marks, FDA’s top vaccine scientist” in a post on X.

Virologist Dr. Angela Rasmussen shared Marks’ comment about Kennedy Jr. on X, adding: “Now that is how you write a f****** resignation letter.”

However, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, a noted vaccine expert, took a different view commenting: “The cracks are showing. Dr. Peter Marks, head of vaccines at the FDA, just resigned—blaming RFK Jr. for ‘misinformation.’ Translation? He couldn’t control the narrative anymore. Truth doesn’t need force. Lies do.”

Several members of Congress have also spoken out, with Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, commenting: “This is beyond reckless. With measles cases spreading across TX and the U.S., we need scientists at the table, not folks pushing conspiracy theories. RFK Jr. is playing games with people’s lives.”

However, House Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky welcomed the move stating: “This is good. In fact, this is what drawing the swamp actually looks like.

“I had the opportunity to depose Peter Marks (recorded interview several hours long), and his conduct at FDA was way out of line. He should have been cut loose years ago.”

What Happens Next

Marks’ resignation takes effect from April 5. It is not yet known who, if anyone, will be chosen to replace him.