President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an outspoken critic of vaccines and a prominent environmental lawyer, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The decision has elicited polarized reactions, with supporters praising Kennedy’s reformist stance and critics warning of potential harm to public health.
HHS oversees federal health programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, and manages responses to public health crises such as COVID-19 and bird flu. With a budget nearing $2 trillion, the department also approves drugs, including vaccines, and supervises 13 distinct agencies. Kennedy has long contended that these agencies are in urgent need of transformation.
“I am thrilled to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Trump wrote on social media Thursday. He accused the “industrial food complex and drug companies” of spreading misinformation and pledged that Kennedy would restore integrity to HHS. Trump added that Kennedy would emphasize “Gold Standard Scientific Research” and work to “Make America Great and Healthy Again!”
Kennedy’s nomination, first reported by Politico, must gain Senate approval—a potentially arduous process despite the Republican majority. Trump has hinted at circumventing confirmation hurdles through recess appointments if necessary. His choice of Kennedy signals confidence in the Senate’s Republican support.
Kennedy, a vocal skeptic of pharmaceutical companies and federal health agencies, is set to oversee the same entities he has heavily criticized. His agenda, branded as “Make America Healthy Again,” focuses on transparency and combating chronic diseases. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who will chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, expressed cautious optimism about Kennedy’s policies. “RFK Jr. has championed issues like healthy foods and the need for greater transparency in our public health infrastructure,” Cassidy said. “I look forward to learning more about his other policy positions and how they will support a conservative, pro-American agenda.”
However, the nomination has alarmed Democrats and public health leaders. They argue Kennedy’s leadership could undermine critical agencies, increase vaccine hesitancy, and redirect resources to his personal priorities. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) criticized Kennedy’s views, describing them as “outlandish.” Wyden stated, “Mr. Kennedy’s outlandish views on basic scientific facts are disturbing and should worry all parents who expect schools and other public spaces to be safe for their children.”
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed Wyden’s concerns. “Confirming RFK Jr. would be nothing short of a disaster for the health of millions of families,” she said, urging her Republican colleagues to oppose the nomination. Murray described Kennedy as a “fringe conspiracy theorist” and warned his appointment could jeopardize progress in public health, reproductive rights, and scientific research.
Kennedy is no stranger to controversy. He founded one of the nation’s most prominent anti-vaccine groups and has perpetuated the debunked claim linking childhood vaccines to autism. While he recently stated he does not intend to revoke any approved vaccines, he argues that federal health agencies have failed to adequately research their safety.
The nomination serves as a reward for Kennedy’s political loyalty. After initially running as a Democrat in the presidential race, he transitioned to an independent campaign before ultimately endorsing Trump. His endorsement and subsequent campaigning for Trump highlighted his criticisms of federal health regulators, whom he labeled “sock puppets” controlled by corporate interests. Kennedy has vowed to overhaul agencies like the FDA, accusing them of systemic corruption.
In October, Kennedy took to X (formerly Twitter) to assert that the FDA’s “war on public health is about to end.” He added, “If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.”
Kennedy’s controversial positions extend beyond vaccines. He has proposed removing fluoride from the nation’s water supply, a practice widely credited with improving dental health. Public health officials view such proposals as regressive and potentially harmful.
Trump has expressed strong support for Kennedy’s reformist ambitions. In a post-election speech at Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “He’s going to help make America healthy again. … He wants to do some things, and we’re going to let him get to it.” Trump’s transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick suggested Kennedy might revoke liability protections for vaccine manufacturers and reduce the number of recommended vaccines. Lutnick hinted that vaccine safety data could reveal significant risks if Kennedy gained access to it.
Despite these endorsements, Kennedy’s appointment remains divisive. Critics, including public health leaders and Democratic lawmakers, warn of far-reaching consequences for health policy and scientific credibility. Wyden emphasized the stakes during Kennedy’s forthcoming confirmation hearing: “It’s going to be very clear what Americans stand to lose under Trump and Republicans in Congress.”
