Kennedy tells FDA employees that 'the Deep State is real': report

Maricopa County School Superintendent Shelli Boggs appeared on 'Fox & Friends' to discuss Arizona's initiative to ban ultra-processed foods in public schools, reflecting growing concerns over children's health. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited FDA employees, making headlines with his remarks about the 'Deep State' and criticizing the FDA as a 'sock puppet' of industries it should regulate. He emphasized the need to reform the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) system, which he claims allows food companies to bypass essential regulatory scrutiny, thus impacting consumer transparency and health.
Kennedy's visit and statements come amid his 'Make America Healthy Again' tour, where he addresses the need for stricter state laws on food safety, particularly in schools. His comments resonate with his long-standing criticism of federal agencies being unduly influenced by external pressures. The implications of his remarks are significant, as they highlight ongoing debates about regulatory practices and the influence of industry on public health policies. Kennedy's alignment with President Donald Trump and his call for FDA employees to 'preserve records' and 'pack your bags' underscore the political dimensions of his campaign for health reform.
RATING
The article presents a timely and relevant discussion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s visit to the FDA and his controversial remarks. It effectively captures Kennedy's criticisms and proposals, addressing issues of public interest such as government transparency and public health policy. The article is clear and well-structured, making it accessible to a general audience.
However, the story would benefit from more balanced reporting, including perspectives from FDA officials and industry representatives. The lack of direct access to primary sources, such as the audio recording and transcript of Kennedy's remarks, limits transparency and verifiability.
Overall, while the article addresses important and engaging topics, it could be improved by providing more detailed analysis, additional perspectives, and greater transparency. These enhancements would help readers form a more comprehensive understanding of the issues discussed and their broader implications.
RATING DETAILS
The story presents several factual claims about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s visit to the FDA and his statements there. The claim that Kennedy stated "the Deep State is real" and his criticism of the FDA as a "sock puppet" of the industries it regulates are supported by multiple reports, including Politico and NBC News. However, the story's accuracy could be improved by providing more detailed context or direct quotes from the audio recording or transcript mentioned.
The story also mentions Kennedy's criticism of the FDA's GRAS system and his directive for policy reevaluation, which aligns with the reports. However, the article lacks specific details about the proposed changes and how they will be implemented, which are crucial for a comprehensive understanding.
Overall, while the story accurately captures the essence of Kennedy's remarks and intentions, it would benefit from more precise details and direct citations from the sources mentioned, such as the audio recording or transcript.
The article predominantly presents Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s perspective and criticisms of the FDA and other agencies. While it provides a clear account of his statements, it does not offer counterpoints or responses from the FDA or other stakeholders, which would have provided a more balanced view.
The lack of perspectives from FDA officials, industry representatives, or independent experts leaves the article somewhat one-sided. Including these perspectives would help readers understand the broader context and the potential implications of Kennedy's proposals.
Additionally, the article could benefit from exploring the rationale behind the FDA's current practices and policies, which would provide a more comprehensive view of the issues at hand.
The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the main points and understand Kennedy's criticisms and proposals. The language used is straightforward and free of jargon, which aids comprehension.
The article effectively organizes the information, presenting Kennedy's remarks and the context of his visit to the FDA in a logical sequence. This helps maintain reader engagement and ensures that the key points are communicated effectively.
However, the article could improve clarity by providing more background information on the GRAS system and the "Deep State" concept, which would help readers unfamiliar with these topics better understand the issues discussed.
The article cites several credible sources, including Politico and NBC News, which adds to its reliability. These sources are known for their rigorous reporting standards and provide a solid foundation for the claims made in the article.
However, the article does not provide direct links to these sources or the audio recording and transcript mentioned, which would enhance transparency and allow readers to verify the information themselves.
Overall, while the sources used are credible, the article would benefit from more direct attribution and access to the primary materials referenced.
The article lacks transparency in terms of providing direct access to the audio recording and transcript of Kennedy's remarks, which are central to the story. Including these materials or more detailed excerpts would allow readers to assess the accuracy and context of the statements themselves.
Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or the methodology used to gather the information, which could affect the story's impartiality.
Improving transparency by offering more detailed sourcing and context would enhance the article's credibility and allow readers to form their own informed opinions.
Sources
- https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/kennedy-tells-fda-employees-that-the-deep-state-is-real-report/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/11/rfk-jr-hhs-fda-deep-state-00286826
- https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kennedy-tells-fda-employees-the-deep-state-real-report
- https://www.mediaite.com
- https://www.raps.org/news-and-articles/news-articles/2025/4/this-week-at-fda-kennedy-warns-of-%E2%80%98deep-state-in-f
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