His pick is causing controversy.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a position he will hold within Trump’s upcoming administration. In his announcement, Trump emphasized that Kennedy’s appointment aligns with his broader goal to address public health challenges, particularly those caused by the industrial food sector and pharmaceutical companies. Trump expressed a desire to combat misinformation and restore scientific integrity within health agencies, focusing on protecting Americans from harmful chemicals and pollutants. He praised Kennedy as someone who will bring transparency and evidence-based research back to health policy.
Kennedy, son of the late Robert F. Kennedy, shared his gratitude for the appointment and vowed to tackle the ongoing health crisis in America. He stated that his focus would be on cleaning up corruption in health agencies and ensuring that Americans have access to accurate, transparent information about their health. His commitment to making America healthier aligns with his previous public statements during his presidential campaign, where he argued that government agencies should return to the use of gold-standard, evidence-based science.
Before joining Trump’s campaign, Kennedy briefly ran for president in 2024. Initially, he campaigned as a Democrat but later switched to an independent bid. After suspending his presidential run, Kennedy endorsed Trump and joined the campaign trail. He voiced his criticisms of the Democratic Party during a rally in Madison Square Garden, accusing it of promoting war, corporate interests, and policies he believed harmed the country. Kennedy has also been a vocal critic of government health policies, particularly regarding food and nutrition standards, suggesting that departments like the FDA should be restructured to better protect the public.
In his new role, Kennedy has indicated that he will focus on reforming federal health agencies such as the FDA and CDC, particularly addressing the issues within the nutrition departments. He questioned why certain processed foods in the U.S. contain unhealthy ingredients that are banned in other countries. His stance on public health reform aligns with his broader philosophy of reducing the influence of industry in policymaking and ensuring that health agencies prioritize public well-being over corporate interests.
This is not the first time Kennedy has been considered for a significant government role. In 2008, he was reportedly under consideration to head the Environmental Protection Agency during President Obama’s transition. Trump’s transition team has praised Kennedy as a “thought leader” and reaffirmed that his appointment to lead HHS is part of Trump’s commitment to addressing the nation’s health crisis. Kennedy has also launched a platform for public input on policy ideas, allowing Americans to suggest changes they want to see in the next administration.
