Trump Taps RFK Jr. for Health Secretary, Surrounds Him with GOP Loyalists to Keep Him in Check
US President-elect Donald Trump called Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “highly respected” © SAUL LOEB, Olivier Touron / AFP/File
President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has raised eyebrows due to Kennedy’s unconventional mix of views and his Democratic pedigree. While Kennedy aligns with Trump on some controversial issues, like skepticism of vaccines, his positions on environmental protections and food safety regulations clash with traditional Republican policies.
Trump appears to be hedging against Kennedy’s unpredictability by surrounding him with loyal GOP appointees at the Department of Health and Human Services. According to Politico, the strategy is designed to keep Kennedy aligned with the administration’s broader goals.
“Transition officials plan to install several longtime GOP allies in senior roles across the health department, filling out key parts of Kennedy’s leadership team well before he could be confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary,” reported Adam Cancryn and David Lim.
A half-dozen Republican operatives familiar with the transition told Politico, “The push aims to surround Kennedy with conservative policymakers who can compensate for his lack of government experience and MAGA credentials — while also ensuring the White House can keep close tabs on an HHS nominee who many Trump aides still don’t fully trust.”
One key appointment already announced is Dave Weldon, a former Florida congressman and anti-abortion advocate, to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Weldon is known for his involvement in the Terri Schiavo case, a polarizing political and medical ethics controversy.
Public health experts have expressed concern about Kennedy’s potential impact on vaccine policy, fearing his stance could undermine public health efforts. However, Kennedy’s proposals extend beyond vaccines, including plans to reform medical billing practices that have long overcharged Medicare — a policy that aligns more closely with Democratic priorities than GOP orthodoxy.
These policy positions have unsettled some Republicans. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a prominent GOP figure involved in advancing Trump’s other nominees, has raised concerns about Kennedy’s opposition to corn-based additives in food, a stance that could hurt Iowa’s agricultural economy.
The nomination of Kennedy, a controversial figure from one of America’s most storied Democratic families, underscores Trump’s unconventional approach to assembling his administration. By surrounding Kennedy with staunch conservatives, Trump seems determined to limit the nominee’s influence on policies that stray too far from his administration’s priorities. The confirmation process promises to be a contentious balancing act between Kennedy’s maverick views and Republican expectations.
