Trump Selects Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

 

West Palm Beach, Florida (CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump has announced his selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), adding yet another controversial figure to his incoming administration. The choice is expected to face rigorous scrutiny from Senate Republicans during the confirmation process.

Confirming earlier reports, Trump shared the news on Thursday, expressing his excitement. "The safety and health of all Americans is paramount for any administration," Trump wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "HHS will play a crucial role in protecting citizens from harmful chemicals, pollutants, and unsafe pharmaceutical products. Mr. Kennedy will restore the agency's commitment to top-tier scientific research and transparency to combat the chronic disease epidemic and Make America Healthy Again."

Kennedy, who accepted the role, has been a leading voice in the anti-vaccine movement, frequently spreading unfounded conspiracy theories about vaccine safety. He has been in Palm Beach, Florida, following the election results.

In a statement, Kennedy underscored his focus on transparency and combating corruption within HHS. "I am eager to collaborate with over 80,000 HHS employees to free the agency from corporate influences, allowing it to fulfill its mission of making Americans the healthiest population on the planet," he stated.

If confirmed, Kennedy will oversee pivotal health programs such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare, and Medicaid. While Trump has shifted away from efforts to fully repeal Obamacare, it remains uncertain whether his administration will introduce a plan to reform the ACA as promised during the campaign. Additionally, Kennedy will play a key role in any Republican-led changes to Medicaid, a program providing healthcare to low-income Americans, which covered nearly 72.5 million people last year. Under Trump’s previous term, attempts to impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients were largely blocked by the courts. With a potential second term, Republicans may target Medicaid funding to offset proposed tax cuts.

Kennedy’s appointment is notable as it contradicts prior statements from Trump’s transition team. Just before the election, co-chair Howard Lutnick dismissed the possibility of Kennedy joining HHS, saying on CNN’s "The Source" that Kennedy "would not be in charge of HHS." However, Trump personally reassured Kennedy that he would make the final decision, resulting in the unexpected nomination.

Kennedy had initially launched a presidential campaign against Joe Biden as a Democrat before switching to an independent run, with a platform focused on tackling chronic diseases. He proposed policies to overhaul food safety, promote holistic medicine, and revamp public funding for vaccine research. In the final days of his campaign, Kennedy and Trump discussed a possible endorsement, which Kennedy provided after suspending his candidacy in August.

Trump hinted at Kennedy's future role during a rally at Madison Square Garden in October, suggesting he would give Kennedy significant authority over health, food, and pharmaceutical policies. Following Thursday's announcement, stocks of major vaccine manufacturers experienced sharp declines.

Kennedy, who has been vocal about his plans since Election Day, pledged to review vaccine safety while assuring he would not mandate the removal of vaccines. He also expressed intentions to push for the removal of fluoride from public water supplies and suggested a major restructuring of public health agencies, including the replacement of 600 employees at the National Institutes of Health with his own appointees.

In a recent interview with NPR, Kennedy outlined his top priorities under Trump’s administration. "President Trump has given me three directives," Kennedy said. "First, eliminate corruption and conflicts of interest in regulatory agencies. Second, restore these agencies to their empirical, evidence-based foundations. Third, address the chronic disease epidemic with a clear reduction in cases within two years."

This report has been updated to include additional information and statements.

Reporters Tami Luhby and Kaanita Iyer contributed to this article.