Health Secretary RFK Jr. erupted after a New York Times exposé revealed that the department has ignored multiple FOIA requests. Journalists report that HHS has not answered three inquiries from September 2025, and the public tracking page has vanished. This lapse undermines the agency’s pledge to transparency and fuels skepticism among watchdogs.

Earlier this year, RFK Jr. promised to restore FOIA offices and publish more data. Yet the agency’s silence on citizen and lawmaker requests, coupled with a missing calendar page, suggests a disconnect. The Times’ claim that he blacklists reporters casts doubt on his commitment to open governance for public health.

The department’s refusal to provide tracking and contact details within the ten‑day window required by HHS policy violates transparency standards. Critics argue that such obstructions erode trust in federal health oversight. Until the agency restores its FOIA processes, skepticism will likely grow among journalists and the public alike for the.

Given RFK Jr.’s public stance on radical transparency, the current blackout signals a stark contradiction. If the department cannot comply with basic FOIA procedures, its claim to openness collapses. Stakeholders will monitor whether the agency rectifies the gaps or continues to deny access, a move that could reshape oversight expectations.