Beshear tells Trump to nix RFK Jr., pick health secretary without ‘a worm in their brain’

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear told Republican President Donald Trump that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has got to go. 

Beshear announced in a Thursday press conference he sent the president a letter dated Nov. 12 asking him to immediately remove Kennedy from his post, adding the secretary is “woefully unqualified” and “is putting American lives at risk.” The request comes as Kentucky and the nation are experiencing an outbreak of measles. As of Thursday, Kentucky had more than 200 cases of measles. 

Beshear said Kentucky has had more cases of measles this year than the last 35 years combined. He also pointed to the U.S. experiencing spikes in foodborne illnesses and whooping cough this year. In September, Kennedy told members of an anti-vaccine group they would have “a strong and steadfast friend at the White House.”

“Elections are good barometers of public opinion and the results of last Tuesday’s elections are clear: The American people want change from your Administration,” Beshear wrote to Trump. Democrats are set to regain control of the U.S. House and Senate in January after midterm elections. 

Later in response to questions, Beshear said “somebody who has resurrected measles in the United States certainly shouldn’t continue in this role.” The U.S. had eliminated measles 26 years ago, but that official designation could be removed by a panel of scientific experts meeting this week. 

The governor said he had not discussed the possibility of impeaching Kennedy with Kentucky’s federal delegation, but he’d support it. Beshear added that he is asking Trump to “just do the right thing to not have to go there.” 

“Just choose someone qualified. Choose someone who will give actual medical advice about vaccines. Choose somebody that won’t spread conspiracies,” Beshear said, before continuing to list issues with Kennedy. 

“How about this? Choose somebody that doesn’t have a worm in their brain. Choose somebody that didn’t put a dead bear in the back of their car and drive into New York City, choose somebody that didn’t put a whale head on top of his car and drive somewhere else. Choose somebody that didn’t swim in a polluted creek with one of their grandchildren. Choose somebody that didn’t snort cocaine off a dirty toilet at one part in their life,” Beshear said. “Just choose somebody better than this clown.”

Asked about Beshear’s letter, a White House official pointed to Trump encouraging vaccinations in 2025 and discussing vaccinations at a Medicaid MFN (most-favored-nation) event. There Trump said he would like to further space out shots during the childhood vaccination schedule, media reports say.   

“President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have both stated that vaccination is the best way to prevent measles infections,” said White House spokesperson Allison Schuster. “In response to outbreaks, the President and Secretary have repeatedly encouraged measles vaccination, coordinated with states, and facilitated the deployment of vaccine doses across the country.”

Beshear, who is considering a run for president in 2028, said he also believes the president should fire Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who faced an impeachment effort this week led by outgoing U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky. Massie’s articles of impeachment alleged Hegseth waged unlawful war against Iran. The congressman lost his primary earlier this year to Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein, who later won the general election. A failed procedural vote effectively blocked the effort until the new Congress convenes in January. 

“I was saddened by the recent vote on Pete Hegseth. It was brought by a Republican, yet every other congressional Republican ended up defending the war in Iran, the current Secretary of Defense and the President, and they had just lost by a historical margin because of it,” Beshear said. “I’d hope that maybe losing a job would help them grow a spine, but apparently we’re not seeing that.”