Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of President Donald Trump’s most debated cabinet selections, has officially been sworn in as the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. The former presidential candidate will now oversee key health agencies, managing approximately 80,000 employees and a budget of nearly one trillion dollars. His confirmation comes despite widespread skepticism from both sides of the political aisle due to his history of controversial health claims and vaccine skepticism.  

 

Kennedy was confirmed in a narrow 52-48 Senate vote on Thursday, with no Democrats supporting his nomination. Among Republicans, former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was the only one to vote against him. Trump personally swore Kennedy in at the Oval Office, marking another key victory in his broader effort to restructure multiple levels of government. The Senate is working long hours to finalize the president's cabinet, with lawmakers also confirming Brooke Rollins as head of the Department of Agriculture in a 72-28 vote.

 

Kennedy becomes the second contentious cabinet pick to be confirmed this week, following Tulsi Gabbard’s appointment as Director of National Intelligence in another closely contested vote on Wednesday. He will now take charge of vital health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. His responsibilities will extend across food safety, pharmaceuticals, public health, and vaccinations.  

 

Having previously run for president in 2024 as an independent, Kennedy eventually withdrew from the race and endorsed Trump. His appointment to the top federal health position has raised concerns among both Republicans and Democrats. Many lawmakers have questioned his past statements on vaccines, his association with organizations that promote unverified health claims, and his shifting stance on abortion.  

 

Kennedy is the founder of Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine group that has gained prominence by casting doubt on childhood immunizations and promoting the widely discredited claim that vaccines are linked to autism. Despite this, Kennedy has denied being anti-vaccine, emphasizing that his own children are immunized. During his confirmation hearings, he argued that he merely advocates for stricter safety testing and more comprehensive research on vaccines.  

 

Some Republicans have expressed support for Kennedy, particularly for his criticism of food additives and his stance against the pharmaceutical industry. However, his confirmation hearings were marked by intense scrutiny, including sharp questioning on his promotion of health misinformation and his qualifications to oversee the nation’s healthcare system.  

 

One of the most contentious moments came when Kennedy was asked about his stance on abortion. While he has previously indicated support for abortion rights, he told lawmakers that he agrees with President Trump in leaving abortion policy to individual states and stated that "every abortion is a tragedy." His comments drew backlash from Democrats, who accused him of abandoning his pro-choice position to secure the nomination.

 

The hearings were not without public spectacle, as protesters interrupted proceedings with shouts of opposition. However, Kennedy also received applause when he vowed to "make America healthy again," echoing a slogan frequently used by the Trump administration.  

 

Based on a report by BBC 2025-02-14

 

 

 

I am not an RFK fan. However, i am a victim of the leftist covid vaccine mandate. I was forced a vaccine i didnt want to be able to provide for my family. Leftists dug their own grave. Experts lost all credibility

Hey don’t worry it will be great heck they have a measles’s out break in Texas no problem TB no problem Polio no problem……the republicans know he’s the wrong guy they are just two cowardly to say no this will cost lives…..god help us all

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Hey don’t worry it will be great heck they have a measles’s out break in Texas no problem TB no problem Polio no problem……the republicans know he’s the wrong guy they are just two cowardly to say no this will cost lives…..god help us all

Spot on.

 

While Emperor Xi and Putin celebrate the USA's expanding demise - self-inflected demise.

Great news.

 

The GOP putting quite a team together. 

 

The fact the lefties despise him just convinces me further that it was a good decision. 

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Great news.

 

The GOP putting quite a team together. 

 

The fact the lefties despise him just convinces me further that it was a good decision. 

You might be better served by dropping the cliches and engaging your brain Kennedy is unqualified and a danger to America…..all Americans + with this administrations assault on science it might even have an effect on foreigners such as yourself.

4 minutes ago, Tug said:

You might be better served by dropping the cliches and engaging your brain Kennedy is unqualified and a danger to America…..all Americans + with this administrations assault on science it might even have an effect on foreigners such as yourself.

Well Thailand is fatter now, science didnt help them

7 minutes ago, Tug said:

You might be better served by dropping the cliches and engaging your brain Kennedy is unqualified and a danger to America…..all Americans + with this administrations assault on science it might even have an effect on foreigners such as yourself.

 

Not my fault your heroes selected DEI Harris. 😄 

 

If anyone was unqualified and a danger to America it was her.

 

So quit whingeing. 

2 hours ago, hotsun said:

However, i am a victim of the leftist covid vaccine mandate.

I think you have more problems than that pal. It’s important to remember that vaccine mandates are intended to protect public health not just ones own personal selfish needs.

Winning.

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Not my fault your heroes selected DEI Harris. 😄 

 

If anyone was unqualified and a danger to America it was her.

 

So quit whingeing. 

Yes we know she wasn’t a trust fund baby like Donald just a partly lawyer DA AG for the state with the 5 th largest economy on the planet senator and vice president of the United States of America yea guess you are right……or perhaps it was misinformation lies misogyny and racism…….all of that aside im more concerned about this worm brain getting folks killed