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.
