President-elect Donald Trump took a significant step on Thursday by nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Secretary of Health and Human Services, a pivotal figure from his campaign.

Kennedy, who was an independent candidate during the 2024 campaign, ultimately stepped aside and endorsed Trump. Following this, he became a key advisor on public health, adopting the slogan “Make America Healthy Again,” a twist on Trump’s well-known phrase.

This nomination was met with criticism from various lawmakers and public health officials, notably Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who labeled Kennedy as “a fringe conspiracy theorist.”

Additionally, Trump ended the suspense regarding his plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for the Secretary of the Interior role, which was initially set to be announced on Friday.

Earlier that day, Trump announced Todd Blanche, a lawyer known for his vigorous representation during Trump’s New York hush money trial, as deputy attorney general. He also nominated Jay Clayton, former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, along with former Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, rounding out a cabinet of trusted allies.

RFK Jr.: Vaccine Skeptic Appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services

Kennedy is known for his skepticism towards vaccines and for questioning the genesis of the COVID-19 virus. He has been particularly prominent in spreading unfounded claims connecting childhood vaccines to autism.

In 2019, during a measles outbreak in Samoa that tragically resulted in the deaths of 83 individuals, mostly children, Kennedy fueled anti-vaccine sentiments, according to the Associated Press.

“Kennedy and his anti-vaccine associates heightened fear and mistrust, which contributed to the epidemic, leading to a rise in child fatalities,” stated Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccinologist involved in Samoa’s vaccination initiatives, in a 2023 interview.

Kennedy has made recommendations such as eliminating fluoride from drinking water. Fluoride has been used in U.S. water supplies since 1945 to combat tooth decay, but its regulation falls under local authority, possibly limiting Kennedy’s potential impact.

In July 2023, Kennedy faced backlash for suggesting that COVID-19 had an “ethnic targeting” angle, alleging that the virus was aimed at Caucasians and Black individuals while sparing Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese communities, a claim with no factual basis.

Trump has previously stated he would allow Kennedy to “go wild on health-related issues.”

Trump’s announcement suggests he intends to seek Senate approval for Kennedy’s nomination, although he has hinted at wanting Republican Senate leaders to permit recess appointments to bypass the confirmation process.

Trump Announces Burgum Selection at Gala Event

Trump hinted at appointing Burgum during a speech at Mar-a-Lago at the America First Policy Institute Gala, teasing that he would announce a “very big position” for him the following day.

However, Trump unexpectedly revealed the news, stating in front of the audience that he had chosen Burgum to head the Department of the Interior.

Burgum garnered Trump’s interest following a lackluster presidential primary campaign that didn’t proceed beyond the initial Republican primary.

His emphasis on fossil fuels and energy, paired with his adept public speaking skills, made him a potential candidate for vice president. During the campaign, Burgum was frequently sent to rallies to advocate for Trump’s second presidential term and criticize outgoing President Joe Biden.

Burgum aligned himself more closely with MAGA Republican ideals toward the end of his two terms as governor, which will conclude next month.

Confirmed Cabinet Appointments by Trump as of Now

• • • • • Chief of Staff: Trump appointed his senior campaign advisor Susie Wiles as his White House chief of staff, marking the first time a woman has held this position. A quiet figure in the political scene, she is credited with playing a crucial role in Trump’s political resurgence.
        • Attorney General: Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz has been selected as the next Attorney General, tasked with supervising the Justice Department, a body he has openly criticized.
        • Secretary of State: U.S. Senator Marco Rubio from Florida has been nominated for Secretary of State, bringing significant foreign policy expertise from his work on the Senate Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committees. He also would become the first Latino Secretary of State.
        • Director of National Intelligence: Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been nominated to lead national intelligence. Gabbard, who previously ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, represented Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District from 2013 to 2021.
        • Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy: Longtime Trump advisor Stephen Miller has been chosen for the position of deputy chief of staff for policy.
      • Advisor to the President: The 39-year-old has been appointed as a senior adviser and speechwriting director for Trump during the former president’s initial term in office, playing a key role in forming Trump’s immigration strategies.
      • UN Ambassador: Trump has selected Elise Stefanik, a five-term Republican from northern New York, to serve as his UN ambassador. She is currently the House Republican Conference Chair and was previously considered as a possible running mate for Trump.
      • Border Supervisor: Trump appointed Tom Homan to manage deportation policy and aviation safety. Homan has a 34-year career as a Border Patrol agent and previously worked as acting ICE director during Trump’s first term, where he faced backlash for enforcing strict immigration rules, including the “zero-tolerance” policy that caused family separations.
      • Head of the EPA: Lee Zeldin has been appointed by Trump to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Zeldin previously represented parts of Long Island as a Congressman and competed but lost in the 2022 gubernatorial election against Kathy Hochul.
      • National Security Advisor: Trump has named Mike Waltz, a representative from Florida, as his national security adviser. Waltz has worked in various roles at the Pentagon, served on the House Armed Services Committee, and supported Trump’s isolationist foreign policy stance.
      • Ambassador to Israel: Trump announced his nomination of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as the ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a Baptist minister, former Fox News host, and has made two unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential nomination. His daughter is the current Arkansas Governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who was the press secretary during Trump’s first administration.
      • CIA Director: Trump has designated his former Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, as the CIA director. Ratcliffe was a Texas congressman before taking on the role of director of national intelligence towards the end of Trump’s first term.
      • Secretary of Defense: The Defense Secretary position has been offered to Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host. Hegseth is a veteran who has served in the U.S. Army National Guard and has led initiatives advocating for veterans.
      • Homeland Security Secretary: Trump appointed Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, as Secretary of Homeland Security. Her selection emphasizes her tough stance on immigration, as she previously deployed the National Guard from her state to the southern border.
      • White House Counsel: William McGinley has been tapped by Trump to take on the role of White House counsel. McGinley, a partner at Holtzman Vogel law firm, previously served as Cabinet secretary during Trump’s first presidency.
      • Veterans Affairs Secretary: Doug Collins has been named as the head of the Veterans Affairs department. Collins, a former congressman from 2013 to 2021 and a loyal supporter of Trump, is also a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command.

       

      What are the Cabinet roles?

      The Cabinet provides the president with counsel on matters related to their designated departments.

      The following positions within the Cabinet must receive Senate approval:

      • Secretary of State
      • Secretary of Defense
      • Attorney General
      • Secretary of the Interior
      • Secretary of Agriculture
      • Secretary of Commerce
      • Secretary of Labor
      • Secretary of Health and Human Services
      • Secretary of Transportation
      • Secretary of Energy
      • Secretary of Education
      • Secretary of Veterans Affairs
      • Secretary of Homeland Security
      • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
      • Secretary of Treasury

      In addition to the Cabinet, presidential advisors include the vice president, chief of staff, UN ambassador, director of national intelligence, U.S. trade representative, EPA administrator, Office of Management and Budget head, Council of Economic Advisers head, Office of Science and Technology Policy head, and Small Business Administration head.

       

      This article has been updated with the latest information