Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared on Sunday that he took a dip in Rock Creek, Washington, along with his grandchildren. He mentioned on social media that certain tributaries of the Potomac River currently pose a safety risk due to elevated bacteria levels.
“I had a Mother’s Day hike at Dumbarton Oaks Park with Amaryllis, Bobby, Kick, Jackson, and then a swim with my grandkids, Bobcat and Cassius,” Kennedy noted, posting several photos that showcased him, a shirtless 71-year-old, enjoying the water.
The National Park Service (NPS) warns that “Swimming and swimsuits are not allowed due to high bacterial levels.”
Swimming has been banned in most DC waterways since the 1970s, largely due to contamination from an aging sewer system. Though there have been recent efforts to amend the ban, enforcement is rare. Signs along Rock Creek caution visitors about potential dangers, and NPS advises pet owners to keep their animals away from the water.
Requests for comments from the Hill regarding Kennedy’s swimming activity or water contamination concerns went unanswered.
Kennedy, appointed by President Trump to lead health policy during his second term, has garnered significant attention for his unconventional views on health issues. He was confirmed as HHS Secretary in February, facing skepticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum.
In a recent interview with Fox News, he referred to his allies at HHS as “rebels” and “juggernauts against convention.”
Additionally, Kennedy, who previously ran for president, disclosed in court documents that a parasite once indicated to him that it had consumed part of his brain.
