The United States Senate confirmed, by a narrow vote of 52 to 48, the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The choice, made by President Donald Trump, sparked considerable controversy, particularly due to Kennedy’s history as a critic of vaccination and his views on public health policies. Despite significant opposition, he managed to secure the necessary support to take charge of one of the U.S. government’s most important departments.
The vote revealed a significant division in the political landscape: while Republicans largely united in support of the nomination, Senator Mitch McConnell, former Republican minority leader, surprised many by joining the Democrats and voting against Kennedy. This decision reflected both tensions within the Republican Party itself and concerns raised by public health experts, who strongly criticize the new secretary’s stance on vaccines and preventive health measures.
Shortly after the confirmation, the White House announced that President Trump would sign an executive order to establish the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) commission, a group led by Kennedy tasked with reviewing the nation’s health policies and proposing new approaches to address the so-called “chronic health crisis” in the U.S. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the initiative is seen as a decisive step in reshaping the government’s health agenda.
As head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy now oversees a budget exceeding $3 trillion, which funds essential programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, providing healthcare to over 140 million Americans. He will also be responsible for overseeing key agencies involved in health regulation and research, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The FDA, for example, plays a crucial role in regulating drugs and vaccines, while the CDC leads national initiatives to control outbreaks and epidemics. Experts warn that Kennedy’s leadership may directly influence the policies of these agencies, especially considering his history of skeptical statements about vaccines.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 71, is an environmental lawyer and a member of the influential Kennedy family, one of the most well-known political dynasties in the U.S. The son of Robert F. Kennedy, former U.S. Attorney General and presidential candidate assassinated in 1968, and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, he spent much of his career as an environmental activist, working on pollution and natural resource conservation issues.
However, in recent years, he gained notoriety for his controversial views on public health, becoming one of the most prominent faces of the anti-vaccine movement in the U.S. Kennedy has repeatedly questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines, raising allegations that certain vaccines could be linked to the rise in autism cases—a theory widely debunked by the scientific community. His statements have earned him harsh criticism from health experts, medical organizations, and even his own family, who publicly distanced themselves from his views.
This stance led to strong resistance to his nomination, both within Congress and among public health authorities. Medical leaders and scientists have warned that his leadership could represent a setback for evidence-based health policies. Despite this, for many of President Trump’s allies, Kennedy’s appointment represents an attempt to break away from what they call the “bureaucratic state” of federal health, decentralizing power and promoting greater transparency in medical regulations.
Kennedy’s path to confirmation was not easy. In addition to criticism from the scientific community, he faced difficulties within his own Republican Party, having to overcome the distrust of senators who questioned his long-standing history as a Democrat and his previous pro-choice stance.
Another obstacle was the opposition from influential members of his own family, who condemned his appointment. His cousin Caroline Kennedy, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and daughter of John F. Kennedy, publicly urged the Senate to reject his nomination, citing concerns over his anti-vaccine stance. Other close relatives also voiced opposition, reinforcing Kennedy’s isolation within his political lineage.
Despite these challenges, Republicans largely aligned in support of the nomination, ensuring its approval, as has been the case with other Trump cabinet appointments so far.
During his confirmation speech, Kennedy outlined some of his main priorities at the head of HHS. He stated that he wants to drastically reduce the number of employees at the FDA and the National Institutes of Health, claiming these agencies have “inflated bureaucratic structures” and that current regulations “favor the pharmaceutical industry at the expense of the average citizen.”
Additionally, Kennedy plans to launch an investigation into the ties between FDA officials and the pharmaceutical industry, suggesting a conflict of interest between regulators and companies that develop drugs. He also advocates for the removal of fluoride from U.S. drinking water, claiming the substance may have negative health effects—a position widely contested by experts and health organizations.
Another proposal likely to generate controversy is his intention to review federal vaccination programs and explore possible alternatives to current immunization policies. While he has promised not to dismantle existing programs, critics fear that his actions could undermine public trust in vaccines and jeopardize decades of progress in disease eradication.
Kennedy’s appointment has been closely watched by the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, which now seek to understand how his leadership will impact regulations and biomedical research funding. Stephen Ubl, CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the leading lobbying group for the pharmaceutical industry, stated that the sector is willing to work with the Trump administration to address chronic diseases, improve health outcomes, and ensure greater access to medical treatments.
However, Ubl also emphasized the need to maintain a regulatory environment conducive to innovation and the development of new medications. “A key part of the solution is strengthening the ecosystem that makes the U.S. the best place in the world to develop new therapies,” he said. He also warned of potential changes that could drive up drug costs for consumers.
With his swearing-in scheduled for Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. takes on one of the most challenging positions in the federal government, tasked with balancing his personal views on health with the responsibility of leading one of the largest healthcare systems in the world.
His tenure will be closely monitored by politicians, scientists, and the public, who are waiting to see whether he can implement his proposals without compromising established public health policies. Given the polarization surrounding his figure, his term is expected to be one of the most controversial in recent history at HHS.
