President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The announcement was made on Truth Social and X, formerly Twitter, late Thursday afternoon.
Kennedy, a member of the renown Kennedy member of the family political dynasty, is known as an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer.
“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Trump posted. “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.”
“Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” Trump wrote.
The department has a budget of about $2 trillion It oversees several federal health programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. HHS, along with its subagencies, are responsible for responding to diseases and public health threats, including COVID-19 and and approves new drugs, including vaccines, The Hill reported.
Kennedy would need to be confirmed by the Senate before taking the post.
While Keenedy’s ideas on healthcare have been somewhat controversial, some are looking forward to him taking control.
“RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is also a physician, said. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.”
Cassidy is set to lead the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee next session.
Others worry Kennedy’s ideas are troublesome.
“Mr. Kennedy’s outlandish views on basic scientific facts are disturbing and should worry all parents who expect schools and other public spaces to be safe for their children,” Senate Finance Committee chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said. “When Mr. Kennedy comes before the Finance Committee, it’s going to be very clear what Americans stand to lose under Trump and Republicans in Congress.”
Appropriations Committee chair Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) concurred with Wyden, saying a Kennedy confirmation “would be nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families. I urge my Senate Republican colleagues to join me in forcefully condemning and opposing this catastrophic nomination.”
“There is no telling how far a fringe conspiracy theorist like RFK Jr. could set back America in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research and innovation, and so much else,” Murray added.
To say Kennedy is anti-vaccine is an understatement as he founded a leading anti-vaccine group and has continue to claim that childhood vaccines cause autism.
In recent interviews, the nominee said health agencies haven’t done enough research on vaccines.
He has said he wants to remove fluoride from drinking water supply.
