RFK Jr. Removes Top HHS Aides in Major Leadership Shakeup

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired his chief of staff, Heather Flick Melanson, and deputy chief of staff for policy, Hannah Anderson, both of whom were installed earlier in his tenure and had ties to the Trump administration.123

Matt Buckham, previously HHS's White House liaison, has been appointed acting chief of staff. Permanent replacements have not been named.13

The reasoning behind the firings has not been clarified; they come amid heightened scrutiny over HHS’s vaccine policies and health initiatives led by Kennedy.12

Federal officials described Flick and Anderson as outsiders aligned with the White House, viewed as sent to ensure Kennedy followed the current administration's agenda.3

Other Trump loyalists, such as former deputy chief of staff for operations Scott Rowell, have also recently left the department.3

Sources:

1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/hhs-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr-fires-two-top-aides-senior-trump-official-ousted-interim-chief-appointed/articleshow/122577549.cms

2. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2025/07/16/kennedy-fires-top-aides-in-us-health-shakeup-report

3. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-ousts-two-trump-loyalists-hhs/