President-elect Trump on Thursday selected Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“I am excited to announce the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). For too long, Americans have been exposed to deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to public health. “This includes,” President Trump said in the announcement.
“The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any government, and HHS is committed to ensuring that all people are protected from harmful chemicals, contaminants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and food additives. In response to the nation's overwhelming health crisis, Mr. Kennedy will make these agencies the gold standard to end the epidemic of chronic disease and make America great and healthy. “We will return to the beacon of scientific research tradition and transparency!” Trump added.
The announcement came just over a week after Trump took back the presidency.
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Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former President Trump shake hands at a campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, on August 23. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Shortly afterward, Kennedy thanked Trump at X and vowed to “make America healthy again” and “end the epidemic of chronic disease.”
“Together, we will root out corruption, stop the revolving door between industry and government, and return our health agencies to the gold standard and rich tradition of evidence-based science. “We provide access to data so you can make informed choices for yourself and your family,” he wrote.
Kennedy entered the 2024 election cycle as a candidate for the Oval Office. Kennedy, the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, has resigned. dropped out of presidential election He initially ran as a Democrat, then ran as an independent in August.
He endorsed Trump shortly after suspending his campaign and entered the Trump-Vance campaign touting his plan to “make America healthy again.”
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Kennedy also spoke at Trump's historic Madison Square Garden rally last month, where he vented about the current state of the Democratic Party.
Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks before former President Donald Trump takes to the stage during a campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 27. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“The Democratic Party is the party of war. The party of the CIA. You kamala harris gave a speech At the Democratic Convention written by neocons. It was bellicose and belligerent. It spoke of the domination of the world by the United States through weapons of war. Today, it is political parties that are trying to divide Americans. “This is a political party that is dismantling women's sports by letting men play women's sports.”
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“This is the party of Wall Street. This is the party of Bill Gates, who just donated $50 million to Harris. This is the party, and the Harris campaign has 50 former CIA agents and staffers, and John Bolton's support. I'm very proud of what I got.'' And Dick Cheney. ”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. waves to the crowd at former President Trump's campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, on August 23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Kennedy was asked about his potential role in the next White House and whether he would begin to “eliminate top-level federal employees currently working at the FDA and CDC.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (left) shakes hands with former President Trump at a campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, on August 23.
He added, “In some categories, entire departments have to go, like the nutrition division of the FDA. They're not doing their job. They're not protecting our children. Why do we have Froot Loops in this country? ” he continued. It has 18 or 19 ingredients, but when you go to Canada, it only has 2 or 3 ingredients? ”
This is not the first time Kennedy has been considered for a cabinet position in a presidential administration. In 2008, then-President-elect Obama strongly considered Kennedy to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Politico reported at the time.
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Transition team spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt appeared on Fox News early Thursday morning, noting that more Cabinet picks would likely be announced later that afternoon, and adding that Kennedy said “once-in-a-generation… “thought leader'' and is likely to be offered a position in the administration.
“Certainly President Trump wants to find a place for RFK Jr. He's made that clear throughout his campaign. RFK Jr. is a once-in-a-generation thought leader. He's an independent mind. , critical thinkers, and we definitely need more of that.''I'll let President Trump announce his specific position in Washington, D.C., but RFK Jr. will be in the Trump administration. He will focus on making America healthy again, another promise President Trump made during his campaign. RFK Junior will deliver on that promise no matter what position President Trump takes,” Levitt said.
Earlier this week, President Kennedy called on ordinary Americans to suggest what policies and people should be introduced under a second Trump administration, and Kennedy's allies called on them to encourage proposals from voters. They have launched a website called “Policies for the People''.
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The proposals will help fill more than 4,000 appointments across the executive branch, according to the website.
“President Trump asked Bobby.” [Kennedy] “This is to help 'drain the swamp' by giving Bobby an influential leadership role on the transition team,” the website post said, adding, “But Bobby cannot do this alone. Because we cannot, we are now relying on the wisdom and expertise of our supporters.” larger community. ”
Former President Trump held a campaign rally on November 4th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The website echoes what tech billionaire Elon Musk has said about “maximum transparency” in relation to his upcoming role co-leading the Department for Government Efficiency. The task force, known as DOGE, will “dismantle government bureaucracy, reduce excessive regulation, and reduce wasteful spending.”, and reorganize federal agencies,” President Trump said earlier this week.
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“To ensure maximum transparency, all actions of the Ministry of Government Efficiency will be published online. Whenever you think about it, let us know! We'll also have a leaderboard of your stupidest spending. It's going to be very tragic and very funny at the same time.” Musk posted on X about how DOGE operates.
Fox News Digital's Jamie Joseph and Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
