Overview

• During his April 11 speech to FDA staff, RFK Jr. accused the agency of being a 'sock puppet' for industries it regulates, citing regulatory capture as a systemic issue.
• Kennedy claimed the 'Deep State' is real, describing it as institutional pressures rather than a conspiracy of individuals, a remark met with skepticism by staff.
• His use of an ableist slur while discussing intellectual disabilities drew sharp criticism and overshadowed his broader remarks.
• Several FDA employees walked out of the meeting in protest, with some expressing concerns about his rhetoric and leadership style.
• The speech follows recent layoffs of thousands of FDA employees, which Kennedy defended as necessary but did not address directly during his remarks.