Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was nominated by US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday to serve as his secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Mr. Trump said he was certain the former presidential candidate, who resigned to become his Republican opponent, would assist raise the HHS’s caliber for the good of Americans.
“I am delighted to announce Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS),” Mr. Trump said in the statement.
Under Mr. Kennedy’s direction, the HHS will safeguard individuals against illnesses and health risks, the president-elect said, lamenting the false information being spread by the nation’s pharmaceutical corporations that has been harming people.
“The pharmaceutical industry and the industrial food complex have deceived, misinformed, and disseminated knowledge about public health for far too long, crushing Americans in the process.
“Any administration’s top priority should be the safety and health of all Americans, and HHS will be instrumental in ensuring that everyone is shielded from dangerous chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and food additives that have contributed to this nation’s severe health crisis.
“To end the epidemic of chronic diseases and to make America great and healthy again, Mr. Kennedy will return these agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research and beacons of transparency.” Mr. Trump said.
For a considerable amount of time, Mr. Kennedy has been criticized for disseminating unfounded conspiracy theories regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. He vehemently refuted the accusations, however, and according to several experts, his views on vaccines and other medical matters were well-reasoned and shouldn’t be contentious.
Amid rumors that he would be a key player in a second Trump administration, Mr. Kennedy halted his presidential campaign and embraced Mr. Trump in August. The appointment today seemed to support their recommendations.
The selection was the most recent in a string of contentious nominations that Mr. Trump made this week, including Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Matt Gaetz as attorney general.
