The vaccine lawyer suing RFK Jr.
The vaccine lawyer suing RFK Jr.  
Podcast: Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode
Published On: Tue May 19 2026
Description: There is an ongoing lawsuit between the American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F Kennedy Jr., head of HHS. The lead attorney of the lawsuit challenging the HHS vaccine policy changes is Ken’s guest today. Richard H Hughes VI is a professor at George Washington University Law School as well as a partner at Epstein Becker Green. In addition to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Hughes’ law firm also represents the American College of Physicians and the American Public Health Association. Richard breaks down the legal framework behind the lawsuit against Kennedy, including the effort to dismantle and remake the ACIP advisory committee, the broader implications for federal vaccine policy, and the growing erosion of public trust in pediatricians, vaccines, and public health institutions. For a deeper dive into today’s discussion: Find the court docket for the case American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. here  And Judge Brian Murphy’s ruling here that opens with an adaptation of a famous quote from the late astronomer and scientist Carl Sagan:  “Science, like law, is far from a perfect instrument of knowledge…nevertheless, science is still the best we have.”Richard Hughes, Professorial Lecturer in Law New York Times: Kennedy, in His Own Words: Flu, Diabetes, Autism and More Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup