Combative, Defensive and Occasionally Contrite, Kennedy Walks a Fine Line

New York Times
by Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Christina Jewett
April 23, 2026
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2 min read

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Health Secretary Kennedy completed four days of congressional testimony with a combative and defensive demeanor.

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Health Secretary Kennedy recently completed four days of congressional testimony. During these appearances, Kennedy adopted a combative, defensive, and occasionally contrite demeanor. He aimed to balance satisfying the White House with appealing to his MAHA base. This approach indicates a strategy to navigate political pressures while under scrutiny from Congress.

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