Two Democratic senators have opened an inquiry into Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after financial disclosures revealed he accepted more than a quarter-million dollars in gifts last year from a former presidential campaign donor. The move signals a fresh oversight push as Democrats prepare to take control of the Senate.
In a letter sent Tuesday, Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (Md.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.) asked Kennedy to provide detailed information about the gifts, which were reported in his annual financial disclosure. The gifts came from Gavin de Becker, a security consultant who contributed to Kennedy's 2024 White House bid and has described the secretary as his "closest friend in the world for many years."
According to the disclosure, de Becker provided lodging at his Washington, D.C., residence valued at $126,000, along with $97,000 in flights to Fiji and $45,000 in flights to Greece. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the gifts in September.
In their letter, the senators pointed to federal ethics rules that bar officials from accepting gifts from "prohibited sources"—defined as individuals or entities that conduct activities regulated by the official's agency or have interests that could be substantially affected by the official's duties. The lawmakers argued that de Becker clearly falls into that category, citing his advocacy for antivaccine causes and ketamine therapy, both of which intersect with HHS policy decisions.
"Mr. de Becker absolutely has vested interests in the outcome of decisions you make as Secretary," the senators wrote. "As such, he is a prohibited source from whom you cannot lawfully accept gifts."
Wyden, who currently serves as the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, is expected to take over the gavel when Democrats regain the majority next year. The committee has jurisdiction over HHS and is likely to play a central role in the investigation. The senators also sent a separate letter to de Becker, demanding details about his payments to Kennedy and underscoring that even a personal friendship does not exempt him from ethics restrictions.
"Even if you consider Secretary Kennedy a friend, your relationship is not purely personal," they wrote to de Becker, reiterating that his interests are directly tied to the secretary's official actions.
The probe adds to a growing list of Democratic oversight efforts targeting the Trump administration. As the White House has warned of potential criminal investigations into Democratic-led inquiries, the party is also preparing to use its new congressional majorities to scrutinize ethics and accountability. Some Democrats have argued that tying affordability to accountability is key to regaining voter trust, a theme that may shape upcoming hearings.
The Hill has reached out to HHS for comment on the senators' request.
