On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Human and Health Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Hózhó Academy Charter school in Gallup, New Mexico, as part of his three-day multi-state 'Make America Healthy Again' tour on Monday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 9. The tour also included stops in Utah and Arizona.Video below: Full three-minute encounter between Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and KOAT's Faith Egbuonu on measles outbreak in New Mexico During the tour, Secretary Kennedy met with elected officials, tribal leaders, nutrition experts and charter school visionaries as he vows to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to "Make America Healthy Again," according to the administration's press release. "They told me some wonderful things that you're doing here . Most important thing is the food. The food we have today is poisonous. If you buy food and eat food that is packaged, it almost certainly has poison in it," Kennedy said to students and staff during his Wednesday visit.Measles Dashboard: Measles spread to third county in New MexicoOn Wednesday afternoon, Secretary Kennedy arrived at Hózhó Academy Charter school and provided a brief speech to Pre-K to 11th-grade students and school officials on what he believes integrates healthy eating and physical fitness into the daily lives of students. Shortly after, he visited the school's cafeteria as members of the media followed but patiently waited for his exit outside of the school's auditorium. According to school officials, Kennedy was also scheduled to meet with P.E. students to partake in activities afterward.WATCH: Full encounter between Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and KOAT's Faith Egbuonu on measles outbreak As Kennedy exited, KOAT's Faith Egbuonu asked the HHS secretary about the measles outbreak in New Mexico. He responded to questions regarding his visit to Hózhó Academy from media outlets, but did not respond to questions regarding the recent measles outbreak in New Mexico. KOAT was the only media outlet to have asked.However, Egbuonu approached him and stated she had a question, as he turned toward her, and asked “What’s your question?” Faith Egbuonu: Measles have now spread to a third county here in New Mexico. The latest was unvaccinated. You’re now pushing for the vaccine but have also given mixed signals. What’s your stance?According to the New Mexico Department of Health, an “unvaccinated child in Chaves County has been diagnosed with measles. According to NMDOH, the diagnosis makes Chaves the third county affected by the ongoing measles outbreak in the southeastern part of the state. As of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the NMDOH reports a total of 56 measles cases in New Mexico this year. All but three of the cases are in Lea County, two are in Eddy County, Chaves County borders both counties. "I am here to show support for President Trump and RFK and his appointees. I believe they're doing what needs to be done. Doesn't feel good for some, but it needs to be done," Republican Party Chair of McKinley County Jason Joe told KOAT. "Across the board, a lot of people always say question, and vaccines is one of those things we should question," Joe said."We're here because science is true, and our healthcare is in jeopardy," Democrat Party Chair of McKinley County Brenda Hoskie told KOAT. “Robert Kennedy Jr.’s medical misinformation and inability to run a federal department will cost lives. Just a few weeks ago, Kennedy slashed important jobs and eliminated key healthcare agencies at health and human services, and that will have disastrous consequences on our nations’ health care infrastructure,” The Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Jessica Velasquez stated during a presser on RFK Jr.’s visit to New Mexico on Wednesday.In April, Democrat attorneys general and governors in 23 states and Washington D.C. have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Health and Human Services. The suit alleges, the slashing of billions of dollars in public health grants was unlawful and harmful.Meanwhile, The Republican Party of New Mexico extended its gratitude to HHS Secretary Kennedy’s visit to New Mexico. On Wednesday, they released the following statement in a press release: “The Republican Party of New Mexico expresses its gratitude to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his visit today to Hózhó Academy in Gallup, NM, surrounded by the Navajo and Zuni Nations. Secretary Kennedy’s trip highlights his deep commitment to addressing the healthcare and wellness needs of our tribal communities.”Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here.
GALLUP, N.M. —
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Human and Health Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Hózhó Academy Charter school in Gallup, New Mexico, as part of his three-day multi-state 'Make America Healthy Again' tour on Monday, April 7 through Wednesday, April 9. The tour also included stops in Utah and Arizona.
Video below: Full three-minute encounter between Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and KOAT's Faith Egbuonu on measles outbreak in New Mexico
During the tour, Secretary Kennedy met with elected officials, tribal leaders, nutrition experts and charter school visionaries as he vows to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise to "Make America Healthy Again," according to the administration's press release.
"They told me some wonderful things that you're doing here [Hózhó Academy]. Most important thing is the food. The food we have today is poisonous. If you buy food and eat food that is packaged, it almost certainly has poison in it," Kennedy said to students and staff during his Wednesday visit.
Measles Dashboard: Measles spread to third county in New Mexico
On Wednesday afternoon, Secretary Kennedy arrived at Hózhó Academy Charter school and provided a brief speech to Pre-K to 11th-grade students and school officials on what he believes integrates healthy eating and physical fitness into the daily lives of students. Shortly after, he visited the school's cafeteria as members of the media followed but patiently waited for his exit outside of the school's auditorium. According to school officials, Kennedy was also scheduled to meet with P.E. students to partake in activities afterward.
WATCH:
As Kennedy exited, KOAT's Faith Egbuonu asked the HHS secretary about the measles outbreak in New Mexico. He responded to questions regarding his visit to Hózhó Academy from media outlets, but did not respond to questions regarding the recent measles outbreak in New Mexico. KOAT was the only media outlet to have asked.
However, Egbuonu approached him and stated she had a question, as he turned toward her, and asked “What’s your question?”
Faith Egbuonu: Measles have now spread to a third county here in New Mexico. The latest was unvaccinated. You’re now pushing for the vaccine [MMR Vaccine: Measles, Mumps, Rubella] but have also given mixed signals. What’s your stance?
According to the New Mexico Department of Health, an “unvaccinated child in Chaves County has been diagnosed with measles. According to NMDOH, the diagnosis makes Chaves the third county affected by the ongoing measles outbreak in the southeastern part of the state.
As of Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the NMDOH reports a total of 56 measles cases in New Mexico this year. All but three of the cases are in Lea County, two are in Eddy County, Chaves County borders both counties.
"I am here to show support for President Trump and RFK and his appointees. I believe they're doing what needs to be done. Doesn't feel good for some, but it needs to be done," Republican Party Chair of McKinley County Jason Joe told KOAT.
"Across the board, a lot of people always say question, and vaccines is one of those things we should question," Joe said.
"We're here because science is true, and our healthcare is in jeopardy," Democrat Party Chair of McKinley County Brenda Hoskie told KOAT.
“Robert Kennedy Jr.’s medical misinformation and inability to run a federal department will cost lives. Just a few weeks ago, Kennedy slashed important jobs and eliminated key healthcare agencies at health and human services, and that will have disastrous consequences on our nations’ health care infrastructure,” The Democratic Party of New Mexico Chairwoman Jessica Velasquez stated during a presser on RFK Jr.’s visit to New Mexico on Wednesday.
In April, Democrat attorneys general and governors in 23 states and Washington D.C. have filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Health and Human Services. The suit alleges, the slashing of billions of dollars in public health grants was unlawful and harmful.
Meanwhile, The Republican Party of New Mexico extended its gratitude to HHS Secretary Kennedy’s visit to New Mexico. On Wednesday, they released the following statement in a press release:
“The Republican Party of New Mexico expresses its gratitude to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his visit today to Hózhó Academy in Gallup, NM, surrounded by the Navajo and Zuni Nations. Secretary Kennedy’s trip highlights his deep commitment to addressing the healthcare and wellness needs of our tribal communities.”
Stay updated on the latest news updates with the KOAT app. Download here.
