Kennedy Clarifies Musk’s Advisory Role
(MENAFN) U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. provided clarification on Wednesday regarding Elon Musk’s involvement with the department.
Speaking before a House Appropriations subcommittee, Kennedy emphasized that Musk served strictly in an advisory role, while he retained final authority over personnel decisions and program cutbacks.
These remarks came in response to questions about Musk’s level of influence, following significant staff layoffs within the agency.
Kennedy acknowledged that Musk offered support in uncovering potential instances of “fraud and abuse” within HHS. However, he made it clear that all critical decisions rested with him.
“Elon Musk gave us help in trying and figuring out where there was ways fraud and abuse in the department, but it was up to it was up to me to make the decision,” Kennedy stated.
He further noted, “There are many instances” where he “pushed back” against Musk’s advice, underscoring his independent leadership.
Defending the decision to cut approximately 20,000 positions, Kennedy described it as a move to reduce overlap and inefficiency, while improving organizational efficiency.
He pointed out that the HHS workforce had expanded by 70 percent over four years, and the restructuring aimed to restore staffing to “2019 levels.”
These changes, Kennedy explained, align with a larger initiative to “make America healthy again,” particularly by addressing the widespread issue of chronic illnesses.
His goal is to provide “more efficient, responsive and effective services” while simultaneously “cutting costs to taxpayers.”
Kennedy concluded with a promise to “do more, a lot more with less” and shift resources “away from bureaucracy for direct impact,” emphasizing a leaner, results-oriented approach to public health services.
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