President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as Health Secretary has been met with widespread alarm from public health experts. Kennedy, a vocal anti-vaccine activist, is set to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), an agency responsible for overseeing drug, vaccine, and food safety, as well as medical research and key social safety net programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
A Move Against the ‘Industrial Food Complex’
In a post on his Truth Social site, Trump said, “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health.” He praised Kennedy, stating that he would “end the Chronic Disease epidemic” and work to “Make America Great and Healthy Again!” This announcement raised concerns as Kennedy’s views on vaccines have long been decried by the public health community.
Kennedy’s Controversial Stance on Vaccines
Robert F. Kennedy Jr is one of the world’s most prominent anti-vaccine activists. He has consistently promoted the discredited idea that vaccines cause autism and other health issues. During the campaign, he mentioned that Trump had asked him to “reorganize” agencies including the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Kennedy’s views on vaccines have not changed, even in light of overwhelming scientific evidence. In July, he said in a podcast interview, “There’s no vaccine that is safe and effective” and reaffirmed to FOX News his belief in the long-debunked theory linking vaccines to autism. This stance raises significant concerns about his ability to lead the HHS, an agency that plays a pivotal role in maintaining the health and well-being of millions of Americans.
An Alarming Appointment
The appointment of Kennedy has drawn alarm from public health experts across the country. Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, remarked, “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is not remotely qualified for the role and should be nowhere near the science-based agencies that safeguard our nutrition, food safety, and health.” Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also voiced her concerns, stating, “I don’t want to go backwards and see children or adults suffer or lose their lives to remind us that vaccines work, and so I am concerned.” She added, “Any misinformation coming from places of influence, of power, are concerning.”
A Storied Political Family and a Shift in Allegiances
Kennedy comes from one of America’s most famous political families. He is the son of the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Initially, Kennedy challenged President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2023 before running as an independent. He later abandoned his presidential bid after striking a deal with Trump, endorsing him in exchange for a role in health policy in a second Trump administration.
Since then, Trump and Kennedy have developed a close bond, campaigning together extensively in the final stretch of the election. Trump had made clear that he intended to give Kennedy a major role in public health, with the slogan to “Make America Healthy Again.” At a rally, Trump expressed his confidence, stating, “I’m going to let him go wild on health.”
The Role of HHS and Kennedy’s Focus Areas
The Department of Health and Human Services is a massive agency with over 80,000 employees. Under Kennedy’s leadership, it is expected to play a significant role in addressing what Trump described as the “Health Crisis” in the country. Trump, in his announcement, said that HHS would “play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives.” However, experts point out that many of these responsibilities fall under the jurisdiction of other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture.
Kennedy has built a following over the years by suing major pesticide and pharmaceutical companies and advocating for tighter regulations around food ingredients. He has specifically targeted pesticides like Roundup weed killer, the use of herbicides, and large commercial farms and animal feeding operations. He has also pushed for banning food additives, such as food dyes and preservatives, which are regulated by the FDA.
Kennedy’s Anti-Vaccine Views
Kennedy’s outspoken opposition to vaccines is perhaps his most controversial stance. During a 2021 podcast, he urged people to “resist” CDC vaccination guidelines. He is known for saying, “I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby and I say to him, ‘Better not get them vaccinated.’” Repeated scientific studies in the U.S. and worldwide have found no link between vaccines and autism. Vaccines have been proven safe and effective in laboratory settings and in real-world use, protecting millions of people every year. The World Health Organization credits childhood vaccines with preventing up to 5 million deaths annually.
During his first term, Trump launched Operation Warp Speed, an initiative aimed at accelerating the production and distribution of vaccines to combat COVID-19. The vaccines developed through this initiative have been widely credited with saving countless lives, a point that Trump himself has acknowledged. This makes Kennedy’s appointment even more surprising, given his history of opposing vaccines.
Questionable Confirmation Prospects
Kennedy’s stance on vaccines and other controversial issues raises significant questions about his ability to get confirmed by the Senate, even with a Republican majority. He has said that he would recommend removing fluoride from drinking water, despite fluoride’s established safety and benefits for dental health. Fluoride levels are set by state and local governments, and it is considered safe at low levels.
Kennedy has also voiced his intent to end the “revolving door” between government agencies and pharmaceutical companies. He believes that many employees at the National Institutes of Health and the CDC have conflicts of interest due to prior or future relationships with the industry. He has promised to take a serious look at those employed by HHS and its agencies, focusing on individuals with past ties to pharmaceutical companies.
A History of Eccentric Actions
Kennedy has made headlines for some unusual actions in his past, involving encounters with wild animals. He admitted to dumping a dead bear in Central Park, New York, positioning it as though it had been hit by a bike. In another bizarre incident, Kennedy was the subject of a federal investigation after his daughter revealed that he had cut off a beached whale’s head and strapped it to the roof of his car to take home.
Kennedy’s Lawsuits and Activism
Kennedy is also involved in lawsuits through his anti-vaccine nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense. The organization currently has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, including The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, particularly related to COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy had taken leave from the organization during his presidential campaign but is still listed as one of its attorneys in the ongoing lawsuit.
Trump’s Other Cabinet Picks
Alongside Kennedy’s nomination, Trump has made other appointments to key cabinet positions. On Thursday, Trump announced that former Georgia Congressman Doug Collins would lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and played a role in defending Trump during his first impeachment process.
Trump also nominated Jay Clayton, who served as chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term, to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
A Shifting Public Health Landscape
Kennedy’s nomination as Health Secretary represents a dramatic shift in the country’s public health approach. His controversial views on vaccines and public health policy have raised significant concerns among experts and the public. With a strong anti-vaccine record and proposals to make drastic changes in the agencies responsible for safeguarding health and safety, Kennedy’s leadership could bring a new and contentious direction to the Department of Health and Human Services.
While some may see Kennedy’s actions as a fight against corporate interests in public health, many experts worry about the potential dangers of misinformation and lack of scientific grounding in public health decisions. As Kennedy prepares to take on one of the most crucial roles in the government, public health experts brace for what could be a contentious and challenging period ahead.