President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist, to head the Department of Health and Human Services. This decision places a controversial figure known for dangerous public health views in charge of an agency overseeing drug, vaccine, and food safety, as well as medical research and public health programs.
“For too long, Americans have been dominated by the industrial food complex and drug companies engaged in deception and misinformation regarding public health,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform about the nomination. He claims that Kennedy will work to “end the Chronic Disease epidemic” and “Make America Great and Healthy Again!”
Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance, immediately raised alarms among public health officials. Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), expressed her concerns to The Associated Press, stating, “I don’t want to go backwards and see children or adults suffer or lose their lives to remind us that vaccines work.”
In addition to Kennedy’s nomination, Trump also announced Doug Collins, a former congressman, as his choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, currently a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and supported Trump during his first impeachment trial.
Trump further revealed the nomination of North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum for the Department of the Interior. After ending his own presidential campaign in December 2023, Burgum endorsed Trump and actively campaigned with him.
Kennedy, member of a prominent political family as the son of the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, previously sought the Democratic nomination before running as an independent and subsequently endorsing Trump. The two have since developed a close friendship, with Kennedy campaigning alongside Trump during the final stages of the election.
Kennedy is critical of processed foods and harmful chemicals, often advocating for stricter regulations akin to those in Europe. He is most notorious for his strong opposition to vaccines, having stated in various interviews that “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective” and maintaining debunked claims that vaccines are linked to autism.
Despite widespread scientific consensus confirming the safety and efficacy of vaccines, Kennedy’s assertions have resonated with segments of the population, particularly among young mothers concerned about health regulations.
Though Trump previously facilitated the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines through Operation Warp Speed, Kennedy’s nomination raises questions about his ability to secure Senate confirmation, even with a GOP majority. He has also proposed controversial ideas, including the removal of fluoride from drinking water, despite its established benefits for dental health.
Responses to the nomination from both sides of the political spectrum have been mixed. While some Republicans, like Senator Josh Hawley, expressed support, others, including Washington Senator Patty Murray, denounced the choice as detrimental to public health.
“I see troubling implications if we have someone at the head of our health system questioning established scientific evidence,” said former New York Public Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan.
Kennedy’s proposed reforms, such as increasing regulation of food dyes and preservatives, and reducing pharmaceutical advertising, could represent a significant departure from past Republican policies aimed at deregulation.
Kennedy’s anti-vaccine nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, currently has a lawsuit pending against several news organizations, accusing them of violating antitrust laws in their efforts to address misinformation about COVID-19. Though he took leave from the group upon announcing his presidential campaign, he remains involved as an attorney in the lawsuit.
Additionally, Trump announced that he would nominate Jay Clayton, who previously served as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
Credit: ABC News
