RFK Jr. Says He’ll Ban Government Scientists From Publishing in “Corrupt” Top Medical Journals

In a disheartening announcement, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the government will stop publishing in the world’s most respected medical journals, accusing them of corruption and cozy ties with pharmaceutical companies.

During a podcast appearance on “The Ultimate Human,” Kennedy named the New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and The Lancet as outlets he believes are compromised.

“They’re vessels for Big Pharma,” he said, adding that HHS will roll out its own set of scientific journals to replace them.

The decision marks a bold break from long-standing norms. These journals have set global standards for peer-reviewed research for over a century. JAMA alone attracts more than 30 million online visits each year. Experts worry this shift could weaken scientific credibility and sideline American research from the global conversation.

In response, the New England Journal of Medicine defended its editorial independence and rigorous peer-review process. The Lancet and JAMA have not yet issued statements.

Kennedy says these new government-backed journals will become the leading voices in science, especially for NIH-funded work. His comments come just days after the CDC reportedly stopped recommending COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, a claim that has not yet been reflected in official guidelines.

This move also aligns with recent actions by the Trump administration, which is pushing a controversial overhaul of federal science agencies. With deep budget cuts and thousands of federal researchers already let go, the future of scientific independence under this leadership is raising alarm bells.