It looks like there’s a Friday afternoon shakeup underway at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with some of the top staff reportedly being replaced ahead of the midterm elections. Initial reports indicate that a new deputy is being named for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – and a social media bio change seems to show the old one is on his way out.
Per one report, Jim O’Neill, who was RFKj’s second-in-command and acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be replaced by current Medicare Director Chris Klomp. O’Neill’s personal X account had been updated as of Friday, with his bio showing “formerly @hhsgov.”
This seems to confirm the information in a press release quietly issued by HHS on Thursday naming Klomp as “Chief Counselor at HHS.” From the press release:
Today, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced several enhancements to his management team at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accelerate adoption of President Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan and the Make America Healthy Again agenda.
As part of these changes, Chris Klomp will become Chief Counselor at HHS and oversee all operations of the Department. Chris brings decades of management and leadership experience to the role. In addition, Secretary Kennedy has named Kyle Diamantas and Grace Graham as Senior Counselors for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and John Brooks as Senior Counselor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Each of these individuals will continue to serve in their current roles in addition to serving in Secretary Kennedy’s office.
Kennedy said of the changes, “In just over a year, we have driven historic progress on President Trump’s health care priorities and delivered real, measurable change.” He added, “We are restoring accountability, challenging entrenched interests, and putting the health of the American people first. I am proud to elevate battle-tested, principled leaders onto my immediate team—individuals with the courage and experience to help us move faster and go further as we work to Make America Healthy Again.”
The press release didn’t mention O’Neill, but another report out Friday cited “sources” who confirmed his departure.
HHS Deputy Secretary and acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jim O’Neill departed the administration, a source familiar with the situation told the Washington Examiner. He changed his bio on his X account to “formerly @hhsgov” as of Friday afternoon. O’Neill did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
The move is allegedly designed “to install more disciplined messengers and smoother operations” atop HHS.
So, why this change, and why right now?
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The answer might be found in a RedState report from last November. Democrats, looking for anything and everything to throw at the Trump administration during the midterm campaign cycle, apparently settled on Kennedy as their super villain (apart from Donald Trump, of course). From our reporting:
Let’s state the obvious up front: Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s, biggest sin is that he dared to leave the Democrat Party. Even worse, he teamed up with Donald Trump, which Dems see as the ultimate betrayal. That’s simply not done. So, Kennedy will live out his days as an enemy to the party his family made into a 20th century powerhouse.
It’s his work as HHS secretary, however, that Democrats will try to use as a cudgel against Kennedy in the hopes of winning back the majority in either the House or Senate.
We can take these changes one year into the second administration as being a sign that President Trump, too, is intending to go full throttle to win the midterm elections. And, honestly, it’s probably the right time to start tinkering with various agency lineups as messaging gets fine tuned.
General Counsel Mike Stuart is also expected to leave his post at HHS.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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