RFK Jr Appointed as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary

In a closely monitored confirmation vote, Kennedy's appointment signals a significant shift in federal health policy amid questions regarding his stance on vaccinations and public health.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been sworn in as the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary following a contentious Senate confirmation vote of 52-48, with no Democratic support. President Donald Trump officiated the swearing-in ceremony in the Oval Office, a move seen as part of his broader initiative to reshape the government. Kennedy, a prominent figure in health activism and former presidential candidate, will now supervise critical health agencies including the CDC, FDA, and NIH, overseeing a workforce of around 80,000 and managing a budget exceeding a trillion dollars.

Kennedy's confirmation comes amid bipartisan skepticism regarding his health claims and past vaccine skepticism. Notably, he has been connected to anti-vaccine sentiment, founding the Children's Health Defense organization, which has propagated doubts about vaccination safety. Although he has denied being anti-vaccine, asserting that his children are vaccinated, many lawmakers expressed concern over his controversial positions during the confirmation hearings.

His stance on abortion also drew scrutiny, as he outlined a belief that individual states should regulate access, which some perceived as a departure from his previous pro-choice views. With the Senate in the process of confirming further nominees, including Howard Lutnick for Secretary of Commerce and Kash Patel for FBI director, Kennedy's appointment remains a key development as Trump continues to finalize his cabinet. The ongoing discussions within the Senate reflect the complexities surrounding health policies and the responsibilities of the newly appointed secretary.