Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as President Donald Trump’s health secretary, sparking panic among health “experts” and Democrat lawmakers who opposed the vaccine skeptic’s appointment. The Senate approved Kennedy’s confirmation along largely partisan lines, with former Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell voting with Democrats against the nephew of the late 35th president of the United States.
Kennedy, who ran for president in 2024, dropped out of the race in August and endorsed the Republican nominee. After winning reelection in November, Trump tapped the former Democrat to pilot the growing “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement from within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy enjoys a massive following for his critiques of the American medical community and used his Senate confirmation hearing to rail against the American “chronic disease epidemic.”
“In my advocacy,” he testified before the Senate Finance Committee, “I have often disturbed the status quo by asking uncomfortable questions. Well, I’m not going to apologize for that. We have massive health problems in this country that we must face honestly. And the first thing I’ve done every morning for the past 20 years is to get on my knees and pray to God that He would put me in a position to end the chronic disease epidemic and to help America’s children.”
Although Kennedy faced opposition from both parties for his past views on abortion, Republicans ultimately united on Thursday to push the nominee across the finish line with a five-vote majority.
Sen. McConnell, the lone Republican holdout, cited concerns about Kennedy’s anti-vaccine advocacy.
“In my lifetime, I’ve watched vaccines save millions of lives from devastating diseases across America and around the world,” he said. "I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles.”
This marks the second time in as many days that the former majority leader broke ranks with his party to oppose Trump’s cabinet appointees. On Wednesday, he voted against another former Democrat, Tulsi Gabbard, as the president’s director of national intelligence.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kennedy, millions of health-conscious Americans have flocked to the new HSS director as a trustworthy source in a suspicious age.
“I congratulate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services,” said Rep. Jason Smith from Missouri. “I have no doubt Secretary Kennedy will be a steadfast champion for those Americans in need of access to quality, affordable care and fight every day to restore the gold standard science of America’s public health agencies and implement President Trump’s agenda to Make America Healthy Again.”
As has been the theme of the new administration, Kennedy’s confirmation attests to the growing distrust in the establishment, as MAHA supporters target the medical community for rising levels of obesity, chronic diseases, and other illnesses. However, we must remember that health and wellness ultimately lie in the hands of the American people as an issue of self-governance. We don’t have to wait for Washington to make us healthy again. We can begin that process today.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.
