Robert F. Kennedy Jr., once an independent presidential contender, is stepping back onto the political stage, this time as the man seeking top health officials for Donald Trump’s potential second administration. Confirming this shift, multiple sources disclosed on Friday how Kennedy, from his legendary political family, is assessing candidate resumes for key positions within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration.
According to Del Bigtree, who directed communications during Kennedy’s campaign and maintains close ties with him, Trump’s transition team has sought out Kennedy’s recommendations for all regulatory health agencies. Despite the controversy surrounding Kennedy, who has sparked considerable debate over vaccines, he is positioning himself to affect change within the U.S. health sector.
Interestingly, Kennedy’s involvement with Trump seems to stem from more than just political tact. Backing Trump earlier this year came with the promise of impacting public health policy. Although Kennedy ended his presidential campaign to endorse Trump, he urges for more rigorous vaccine testing rather than rejecting vaccinations outright.
So, what is Trump’s interest here? Bigtree mentioned how Trump has put forth the challenge for Kennedy: achieve visible improvements on chronic illnesses, particularly among American children, within two years. “President Trump is giving him two years to show success,” Bigtree explained. “President Trump is very interested in the selections Bobby Kennedy thinks would be best suited to address these issues.”
While Kennedy continues this recruiting task, there’s also speculation around his potential role within the administration. Some insiders suggest he may take on official duties or serve as an advisor. Nonetheless, comments from Howard Lutnick, who is co-chairing Trump’s transition team, maintain Kennedy’s absence from the HHS official roster. Lutnick previously stated outright, “Kennedy is not getting any job for HHS.”
The path forward seems complex for Kennedy. With eyes poised on the types of individuals he fills his administration with, Bigtree asserted they would aim for candidates who don’t hold any conflicts of interest related to pharmaceutical industries. This stance suggests Kennedy's agenda will likely focus on advocating for public health measures divorced from big pharma influences.
Among the nominations Bigtree mentioned could come from Kennedy’s camp are scientists and medical professionals sharing similar views on public health. This strategy appears to align well with Kennedy’s focus on garnering public trust, particularly significant amid the growing skepticism surrounding vaccines.
Interestingly, Kennedy himself has sparked debate through statements advocating for the removal of fluoride from public water systems, making unsubstantiated claims linking the chemical to serious health issues, which the American Dental Association has rebuffed, emphasizing fluoride’s efficacy at reducing cavities.
While Kennedy finds himself at the center of Trump’s goals for health reform, he is simultaneously backed by key individuals, including his daughter-in-law and influential campaign members. This corporate-like style of vetting government positions is rather unprecedented, showing how the layers of political maneuvering are thick and strategic, echoing the broader game of chess at play as the country heads toward another potential Trump administration.
What’s fascinating here is Trump’s hands-on approach concerning public health. With potential influences from Kennedy and his unconventional methods, his next administration could undertake sweeping changes across health-related policies, targeting chronic illness and vaccine accountability. It remains to be seen how these selections play out as Kennedy continues to evaluate prospective candidates.