Environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to be an “honest public servant” if confirmed to be secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Together, we will root out corruption, end the revolving door between industry and government, and return our nation's health institutions to a rich tradition of gold standards and evidence-based science,” Kennedy said. I wrote in a post on Thursday. “I will provide the American people with transparency and access to all the data so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families.”
“My commitment to the American people is to be honest public servants. Let's go,” he added.
Kennedy was nominated Thursday by President-elect Trump to lead the department, which has a budget of nearly $2 trillion and oversees 13 government agencies. He must be confirmed through the Senate, which could be difficult as some Senate Democrats and public health officials have expressed concerns about his selection.
“Mr. Kennedy's outlandish views on basic scientific facts are alarming and should concern all parents who expect schools and other public places to be safe for their children.” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said Thursday. “When Mr. Kennedy appears on the Treasury Committee, it will become very clear what the American people stand to lose under President Trump and Republicans in Congress.”
Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said Kennedy's appointment to HHS “could set the United States back on public health, reproductive rights, research and innovation, and many other areas.” “There is,” he said. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) called Kennedy's nomination “insane.”
But not all Democrats sounded the alarm. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) said he was “excited” about the nomination but hoped the former independent presidential candidate would not enact a vaccine ban.
“I hope he leans toward personal choice rather than banning vaccines (which I think is just as bad as mandating them), but I'm most optimistic. to take on big pharmaceutical companies and agricultural oligopolies to improve our health,” Polis wrote. on Thursday.
Other members have also expressed support for the selection.
“RFK Jr. has championed issues such as healthy food and the need for greater transparency in public health infrastructure,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) said in a statement. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they support conservative and pro-American policies.”
Kennedy originally ran for president in 2024 as a Democrat, but left the party to run as an independent. He ended his bid for the White House in August and has since endorsed Trump, who has been campaigning on his behalf. He thanked President Trump on Thursday for his “leadership and courage,” adding that he is “committed to advancing our vision of making America healthy again.”
“I look forward to working with HHS's more than 80,000 employees to pursue our mission of lifting the agency from the cloud of corporate takeovers and making Americans once again the healthiest people on earth.” ” President Kennedy wrote.
