Government workers are calling for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation, asserting that his actions are harmful to the health of the nation.

In a series of recent events, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has been embroiled in a storm of controversy, with hundreds of current and former staffers calling for the resignation of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Last month, more than 1,000 employees penned a letter to Kennedy, imploring him to stop "spreading inaccurate health information" and to guarantee the safety of HHS's workforce. The letter was also addressed to members of Congress.

The controversy stems from Kennedy's leadership, particularly his controversial vaccine policies and restructuring of the CDC advisory committee. Senators from both parties have publicly criticised Kennedy, with Senators Thom Tillis (Republican) and Tina Smith (Democrat) among the critics. Even 77 Nobel laureates have expressed opposition to his appointment, warning it endangers public health.

The employees' concerns are not unfounded. The firing of Dr. Susan Monarez, the new director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spurred the resignations of four other senior officials at the public health agency. The employees cited actions including the facilitation of Monarez's firing, the resignations of key, longtime CDC leaders, the appointment of political ideologues to influential roles in vaccine policy, and the rescinding of emergency use authorizations for Covid-19 vaccines without providing data or methods.

Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican doctor from Louisiana, has been vocal in his criticism. He called for the postponement of the September 18 scheduled meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices due to allegations about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process. Sen. Cassidy also called for significant oversight of the CDC due to the "high profile departures" from the agency.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat from Connecticut, has gone as far as calling for Kennedy to be fired at a budget hearing. Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, called for the White House to fire Kennedy after the ouster of Dr. Monarez.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has also called for Kennedy's resignation, citing his "longstanding crusade against vaccines and his advocacy of conspiracy theories."

In response, Kennedy claimed that his agency is "restoring public trust in the CDC" in an opinion piece published Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal. However, the ongoing controversy and calls for his resignation suggest that Kennedy's leadership may be doing more harm than good.

As the situation unfolds, Kennedy is scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Finance on Thursday morning in a hearing titled "the president's 2026 health care agenda." The outcome of this hearing may provide further insight into the future of Kennedy's tenure at HHS.

CNN's Adam Cancryn and Sarah Owermohle contributed to this report.

Government workers are calling for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s resignation, asserting that his actions are harmful to the health of the nation.