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Corruption & Accountability · Report · File No. 261112-611

Wyden opens probe into whether RFK Jr. lied to Congress about 2019 Samoa trip

Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks asked Children's Health Defense for records on Kennedy's Samoa trip and his confirmation. The Health Secretary runs the agency that oversees Medicare and vaccine policy.

By the Investigations Desk · · 2 min read

Every quote in this story (2) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

My clippings
Ron Wyden
Ron Wyden. Photo: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio, Public domain

Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, has opened an investigation into whether Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. lied to Congress about a 2019 trip to Samoa. The Guardian reported the inquiry on Thursday after obtaining a letter sent Wednesday. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, a Maryland Democrat, also signed it 1.

The Guardian describes Wyden as the incoming chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Democrats are due to take the Senate majority in January 1.

Ron Wyden
We are beginning an investigation into evidence that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy, Jr unlawfully lied to Congress on multiple occasions
Ron Wyden, U.S. Senator, D-Oregon1

The letter went to Children's Health Defense (CHD), the anti-vaccine nonprofit Kennedy used to build his political career. The senators asked for all records on any Samoa travel by Kennedy or other CHD employees or associates. They also asked for communications with Samoan officials, records on his presidential campaign and Senate confirmation, and CHD's contacts with federal officials since Jan. 20, 2025 1.

What Kennedy told the Senate

In two confirmation hearings in January 2025, Kennedy said the Samoa visit had “nothing to do with vaccines” 1. Documents obtained by the Guardian and the Associated Press through an open-records lawsuit appear to contradict that. In a January 2019 letter to Samoa's prime minister, Kennedy said he wanted to study the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine there. He used the word “vaccine” or “vaccination” eight times 12.

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The prime minister replied a month later and invited him to come 1. Kennedy visited in 2019. Months later, a measles outbreak killed 83 people in Samoa, mostly children under 5 1. Critics say his visit emboldened anti-vaccine activists. Kennedy denies that and says he never publicly discouraged vaccination there 1.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has said the trip was “unrelated to vaccines.” It called any claim that Kennedy lied “false” and “defamatory.” HHS did not immediately comment on the new letter, and CHD did not respond to requests for comment 12.

What happens next

A letter is not a subpoena, which is a legal order to hand over records. Tim Stretton of the nonpartisan Project on Government Oversight said CHD should take it seriously. If the group refuses, the committee or its chair could issue subpoenas 1.

It’s not wise to ignore it
Tim Stretton, Project on Government Oversight1

Knowingly giving materially false testimony to Congress is a crime that can carry prison time, though it is rarely prosecuted. Kennedy was not under oath at his confirmation hearing 12. Legal experts say the Justice Department under President Trump is unlikely to prosecute. They say his statements could still support hearings or an impeachment inquiry 1.

Wyden said in August he would press Republicans for a criminal referral to the Justice Department. Alsobrooks has called for Kennedy to resign or be fired. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the incoming chair of the Senate health committee, says he is open to impeachment 1.

That matters because HHS oversees Medicare, vaccine policy and public health. Kennedy was confirmed 52-48 2. Democrats now say they will test the testimony that helped win him that vote.

The Record

  1. Kennedy writes to Samoa's prime minister proposing a study of the country's MMR vaccines; the prime minister replies a month later 12.
  2. In January 2025 confirmation hearings, Kennedy says the Samoa trip had “nothing to do with vaccines” 1.
  3. AP and the Guardian publish the letters, which appear to contradict that testimony 12.
  4. Wyden and Alsobrooks send CHD a letter seeking records 1.
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Sources

  1. The Guardian, “Senator opens investigation into evidence RFK Jr 'unlawfully lied' to Congress” (2026-11-12). theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/12/senate-investigation-rfk
  2. AP via PBS NewsHour, “AP report: RFK Jr. said a Samoa trip had nothing to do with vaccines. New documents refute that” (2026-08-27). pbs.org/newshour/politics/ap-report-rfk-jr-said-a-samoa-trip

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