President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in his upcoming administration. The announcement was made on Thursday via Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social. Kennedy, aged 70, is a figure known for his health freedom and activism and promotion of various perspectives that go against official narratives.
On Thursday, Kennedy posted on the social media site X, saying, “Together, we will clean up corruption, stop the revolving door between industry and government, and return our health agencies to their rich tradition of gold-standard, evidence-based science.”
He recently suspended his independent presidential campaign to support Trump, who had hinted at giving Kennedy a significant role in his administration. In his announcement, Trump stated, “For far too long, Americans have suffered under the grip of the industrial food sector and pharmaceutical companies that have engaged in deceit, misinformation, and disinformation regarding public health.” He emphasized that Kennedy would focus on protecting Americans from “harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, products, and food additives” that have contributed to health crises in the nation.
“I’m going to let him go wild on health. I’m going to let him go wild on the food. I’m going to let him go wild on medicines,” Trump said in the final days before the election. “The only thing I don’t think I’m going to let him even get near is the liquid gold that we have under our feet … sometimes referred to as oil and gas.”Â
Some House Republicans, like Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), praised the selection, calling it “fantastic” and expressing hope that Kennedy would disrupt “corruption” in federal health agencies. In contrast, others expressed concern.
Kennedy’s nomination was denounced in a statement by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog organization that frequently disagrees with the FDA and, in some respects, supports his calls to remove chemicals from foods. According to a statement from the group’s president, Dr. Peter G. Lurie, “Nominating an anti-vaxxer like Kennedy to HHS is like putting a Flat Earther at the head of NASA.” “This nomination and any other nominees who directly threaten science and evidence-based solutions are opposed by CSPI.”
Kennedy has indicated intentions to restructure the 18,000-employee FDA and replace numerous National Institutes of Health staff members. While Kennedy has stated he won’t “take vaccines away from anybody,” he plans to ensure that “Americans receive accurate information” about vaccine safety. Kennedy has also proposed eliminating fluoride from drinking water and reducing chemical exposure in food.
The nomination will require Senate confirmation. The appointment has already affected the stock market, with vaccine stocks tumbling following the announcement.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) wrote, “I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what I’m most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health.”
