Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Thomas Corry, a top spokesperson at the Department of Health and Human Services, has abruptly resigned amid criticism of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s response to a deadly measles outbreak in Texas.Corry did not provide a reason for his resignation as HHS assistant secretary of Public Affairs in his announcement two weeks after being sworn in.Newsweek reached out to the HHS via email for comment.Why It MattersKennedy, a well-known anti-vaccine activist before being appointed by President Donald Trump to lead HHS, faced backlash last week after saying that a measles outbreak in Texas was “not unusual,” despite a child dying of the illness—the first U.S. death from measles in a decade.Over 140 children have been sickened in Texas by measles, a disease that overwhelmingly affects the unvaccinated.Kennedy enraged anti-vaccine advocates days later after appearing to reverse his stance. In a Fox News opinion article published on Sunday, Kennedy touted the effectiveness of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine while referring to the outbreak as “a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
What To KnowCorry announced in a LinkedIn post on Monday that he had resigned as the HHS assistant secretary of Public Affairs, effective immediately.”I want to announce to my friends and colleagues that last Friday I announced my resignation effective immediately,” Corry wrote. “To my colleagues at HHS, I wish you the best and great success.”The resignation came just two weeks after Corry wrote on LinkedIn that he was “honored” to be sworn in to the HHS job, while repeating Kennedy’s “make America healthy again” slogan.”I’m honored to have been appointed and sworn into the position of HHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs,” he wrote at the time. “I’m thankful that I’ll be part of the team that is going to work to make America healthy again, and on making healthcare more affordable and accessible.”Before his short stint at HHS, Corry served on several health care-related boards and led a consulting business. He was also part of the first Trump administration, serving as senior adviser and director of communications at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from March 2019 until November 2020.What People Are SayingDigital marketing expert Keith Butler, responding to Corry’s resignation post on LinkedIn: “Tom, you need to share and explain why you took this action. After only two weeks in the position that is critical to our national health, you owe us all an explanation.”Art Candee, a Chicago-based artist and frequent Trump critic, in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “A top spokesperson at the Health and Human Services Department, Tom Corry, has quit 2 weeks after he went back to work for the federal government…Guess things at HHS under RFK McBrain Worms Jr. are going as we expected.”What Happens NextCorry’s position at HHS will likely be quickly filled. Whether Corry will publicly explain his reason for abruptly quitting remains to be seen.
