On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump revealed his intention to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which manages several major health organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Trump has previously stated he would allow Kennedy to “explore freely in the realm of health.”

Seventy-year-old Kennedy, who shares his name with his father, a former attorney general, ended his own independent presidential campaign in August and decided to back Trump.

In his announcement on social media, Trump mentioned that Kennedy “will significantly contribute to efforts aimed at protecting everyone from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have exacerbated the existing health crisis in our nation. He will restore these agencies to their roots of rigorous scientific research and transparency, striving to combat the chronic disease epidemic and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

However, there has been significant backlash from health professionals and others regarding the appointment.

“The decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services is deeply alarming and could have serious repercussions for the health of Americans,” commented Dr. Richard Besser, who previously served as acting director of the CDC and is now CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a health-focused philanthropy.

Dr. Besser further stated to YSL News, “Robert F. Kennedy has played a major role in fostering distrust towards our public health system.”

Sen. Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, also raised concerns over this appointment and urged her colleagues to oppose his confirmation.

“Donald Trump’s choice of a well-known anti-vaxxer for the role of Secretary of HHS poses significant risks—this is a source of great concern for every American,” she stated. “There’s no telling the extent to which a fringe conspiracy theorist like RFK Jr. could regress America’s progress in matters such as public health, reproductive rights, and scientific research and innovation.”

RFK Jr.’s political history

Originally an environmental attorney, Kennedy gained national visibility partly due to his stance against the childhood measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, promoting debunked theories linking it to autism. Throughout the pandemic, he also opposed COVID-19 vaccines and has faced accusations of spreading misinformation, with the group NewsGuard documenting 90 instances of falsehoods disseminated by Kennedy or his organization, Children’s Health Defense.

During his presidential campaign, which had significant backing from Silicon Valley figure Nicole Shanahan and Trump supporter Timothy Mellon, Kennedy focused on an anti-corporate message.

After aligning with Trump, Kennedy shifted focus to a “Make America Healthy Again” campaign, advocating for government intervention in addressing chronic health issues. He has proposed various strategies to tackle the notable proportion of Americans suffering from chronic health problems.

While his assessment of the situation is generally acknowledged, many health officials have criticized his proposed solutions as overly simplistic. His policy priorities, which include limiting ultra-processed foods, have raised concerns in the food industry and may clash with the Trump administration’s interests in deregulation.

In addition, he has publicly critiqued Trump’s diet, labeling the fast food served on Trump’s campaign plane as “poison.”

In a bold move that’s stirred controversy, Kennedy is advocating for the federal government to eliminate fluoride from public drinking water. Fluoride, naturally present in some water sources, has been proven to help prevent tooth decay.

A recent report from the Department of Health and Human Services indicated that excessive fluoride levels have been associated with reduced IQ in children. Since 1945, U.S. communities have been adding fluoride to their water supply. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized fluoridation as one of the top ten public health successes of the 20th century.

In July 2023, Kennedy drew criticism for suggesting that there is an “argument” that COVID-19 was created to specifically target certain ethnic groups, stating that the virus affects Caucasians and Black individuals while seemingly sparing Ashkenazi Jewish people and Asians—claims that lack scientific backing.

About the Kennedy Family

Kennedy’s mother, Ethel, passed away in October. He is one of 11 children of Ethel and Robert Kennedy. His educational background includes attending Harvard University and law studies at the University of Virginia and Pace University.

His life has not been without its share of controversies, beginning in the 1980s when he faced arrest for heroin possession.

Recently, his actions have drawn additional scrutiny, including reports that he concealed a dead bear in New York’s Central Park and transported a whale’s head on his minivan roof for five hours. He also claimed that doctors discovered a dead worm in his brain.

Kennedy is married to actress and director Cheryl Hines, known for her role in HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” His first wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, tragically took her own life in 2012, two years after their separation.

Public Response to His Nomination

Health authorities reacted swiftly against Kennedy’s nomination, urging the Senate to reject it.

“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. poses a significant threat to public health,” stated Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, a non-profit consumer rights organization. “He should not be permitted anywhere near the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), let alone leading the nation’s public health agency.” Public Citizen co-president Lisa Gilbert further warned, “Kennedy is a science-denying conspiracy theorist whose influence could jeopardize lives,” urging the Senate for a unanimous rejection.

Dr. Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a vaccine development company, noted that while vaccines are not flawless, they have significantly contributed to human health improvements, preventing illnesses and saving lives.

According to Glanville, Kennedy lacks appropriate medical or scientific credentials and is prone to misinformation, making him unfit to lead health organizations.

“It would be particularly troubling to have RFK in any federal position overseeing medical or public health issues,” he expressed. “We urge both political parties to choose qualified candidates with relevant expertise for decisions in medical policies related to vaccines.”

Nevertheless, Kennedy does have his supporters.

“We commend President Trump’s decisive action in nominating RFK Jr. as a step towards improving Americans’ health, and we believe his confirmation could be transformative, curbing corporate influence while saving lives,” asserted Marty Irby, president of Competitive Markets Action, which supports sustainable agriculture and defends states’ rights against federal overreach.