Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sworn in as HHS Secretary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), replacing Dr. Dorothy Fink, who was appointed as Acting Secretary of the HHS on January 20, 2025, and served for a little over 3 weeks. Kennedy is now responsible for administering and overseeing all HHS programs, operating divisions, and activities, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The HHS has a budget of nearly $2 trillion and is one of the federal government’s largest agencies.
There has been strong opposition to the appointment of Kennedy as HHS Secretary with many considering him unqualified for the position. For decades RFK Jr. has spread conspiracy theories such as antidepressants contributing to the increase in school shootings, chemicals in the water supply making children transgender, and vaccines are unsafe and cause autism. Kennedy’s previous support of abortion rights was also a cause of concern for some, although he has stated that he will follow President Trump’s lead on abortion policy, which includes further studies on the safety of the abortion drug mifepristone.
Kennedy graduated from Harvard University, studied at the London School of Economics, received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School, and a master’s degree in environmental law at Pace University School of Law. As an environmental lawyer, Kennedy fought corrupt corporations and forced dozens of municipalities to comply with the Clean Water Act. Kennedy founded the world’s largest clean water advocacy group, Waterkeeper Alliance, which protects 5.9 million square miles of waterways and has 1 million volunteers in the United States and 46 other countries and also founded Children’s Health Defense and served as its chairman and chief litigation counsel in its campaign to address childhood chronic disease and toxic exposures.
Kennedy has stated that one of his main missions as HHS Secretary is to make America healthy again by tackling chronic childhood diseases and addressing over-processed foods that are fueling obesity – a major risk factor contributing to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, heart disease, and stroke. Kennedy’s views on healthcare regulation, data privacy, and security issues are unclear.
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Kennedy was grilled by the Senate Finance Committee at two confirmation hearings, including over his anti-vaccine stance. At the hearings, Kennedy stated he is not anti-vaccine but “pro safety,” and that he believes vaccines play a critical role in healthcare, although refused to say he agrees with scientific studies that provide evidence that vaccines do not cause autism. He also appeared confused about how Medicare and Medicaid operate at the confirmation hearings. Kennedy’s nomination was advanced by the Senate Finance Committee in a 14-13 vote along party lines, and he spent the following days, assisted by President Trump and Vice President Vance, winning the support of Republican Senators. Some Republican Senators continued to have concerns about Kennedy but were convinced to vote in favor after being provided with assurances, including that any vaccine recommendations would be based on data-driven, evidence-based, and medically sound research.
The full Senate vote went along party lines with all Democrats (45) and Independents (2) voting against the appointment of Kennedy and Republicans almost unanimously voting in favor (52), with only former GOP leader Mitch McConnell voting against his appointment. “This Administration – led by the same President who delivered a medical miracle with Project Warp Speed – deserves a leader who is willing to acknowledge without qualification the efficacy of life-saving vaccines and who can demonstrate an understanding of basic elements of the U.S. healthcare system,” said McConnell. “Mr. Kennedy failed to prove he is the best possible person to lead America’s largest health agency.”
After Kennedy was sworn in at the Oval Office by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Neil Gorsuch, President Trump signed a new Executive Order as part of the drive to “Make America Healthy Again.” The Executive Order establishes the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which has been tasked with identifying the root causes of the escalating health crisis in America, one of the main focuses of which will be tackling childhood chronic disease.
“Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership, your confidence in me, and your deep concern for the health of the American people. You have truly heard the calls of the millions of mothers who simply want the tools – and the truth – so they can make informed decisions for their children,” said Kennedy. “I have prayed each morning for the past two decades for God to put me in a position to solve the childhood chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy continued, “and now, thanks to you Mr. President, we will make this promise a reality.”
