RFK Jr. Restructures HHS by Replacing Trump-Appointed Senior Officials

In a significant move within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently dismissed two senior officials who were appointed during the Trump administration. Heather Flick Melanson, serving as Chief of Staff, and Hannah Anderson, a prominent policy advisor, were both relieved of their duties, a development that caught many federal health officials off guard.

Both Melanson and Anderson had previously worked in Kennedy's office alongside other key aides, including senior counselor Stefanie Spear—who has been a longtime Kennedy confidante—and executive secretary Cortney McCormick. Reports suggest that the dismissed officials were viewed as loyal to the previous administration, with sources indicating they were brought into the department to ensure alignment with President Trump's agenda.

Experts in the field note that Anderson and Melanson's roles may have been strategically positioned to support former President Trump's policies within the federal health system. One health official remarked, "The White House significantly influenced Heather's appointment to keep RFK and Stefanie aligned with their priorities." Anderson was reportedly highly regarded by Trump allies, with one describing her as "a person of impeccable integrity" who enjoyed working for the former president.

Following these dismissals, the HHS has appointed Matt Buckham as the acting Chief of Staff. Buckham's previous role involved liaising with the White House and assisting political appointees in their adjustments to the department's operations.

Kennedy expressed gratitude to the departing officials for their service and looks forward to collaborating with Buckham to advance the department’s mission to promote health across America. The specific reasons for the firings have not been publicly disclosed.

This personnel reshuffle signals a shift in the department's leadership approach amid ongoing organizational restructuring. For more details, see the official HHS website.