November 15, 2024: President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist, to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy, who has long been a vocal critic of vaccine policies, would oversee a vast array of public health and safety programs, including vaccine regulations, drug oversight, food safety, and the nation’s Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, framing the appointment as a bold step to address what he described as a long-standing problem in the American healthcare system. "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," Trump wrote. "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will put an end to the Chronic Disease epidemic and Make America Great and Healthy Again!"
Kennedy, the son of the late Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy, is one of the most well-known figures in the global anti-vaccine movement. He has repeatedly advanced the debunked theory that vaccines cause autism and other health issues, views that have been widely criticized and refuted by scientists and public health experts. His appointment is likely to spark controversy, given his history of spreading misinformation about vaccines, which have been proven to be safe and effective by extensive research and clinical trials.
Kennedy’s nomination comes after he briefly sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2024, running on a platform critical of the political establishment and government health policies. He later abandoned his independent campaign after striking a deal with Trump to endorse the former president’s re-election bid in exchange for a prominent role in health policy within a second Trump administration.
The nomination is expected to face significant opposition, particularly from public health advocates and lawmakers who have expressed concerns about Kennedy’s stance on vaccines. “His views on vaccines alone disqualify him from holding such a critical position,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, a prominent vaccine researcher, in a statement. “The Department of Health and Human Services requires a leader who values evidence-based science, not one who promotes harmful misinformation.”
In addition to announcing Kennedy’s nomination, Trump also revealed that he has selected Doug Collins, a former congressman from Georgia, to head the Department of Veterans Affairs. Collins, a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command, served in Congress from 2013 to 2021 and was a staunch defender of Trump during his first impeachment trial.
The confirmation of Kennedy and Collins will require approval from the Senate. Given the divisive nature of both appointments, their confirmations may become key battlegrounds in the upcoming political battles between the White House and Senate leadership.