One of the most controversial appointments of the incoming Trump Republican administration is nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the turncoat from the Democratic party’s Kennedy dynasty of leaders, to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
If confirmed, he will control the world’s largest public health agency and its A$2.63 trillion budget and be on a collision course with many of its 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials over his radical plans for the agency and the nation.
The President-elect wrote: “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to public health.”
“The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country.”
Mr. Kennedy’s slogan during the election campaign was Make America Healthy Again after a career as an environmental attorney, suing chemical corporations and large pharmaceutical companies.
He became one of the first high profile Americans to sound the alarm against the dangers of COVID vaccines and what many saw as a media cover-up of vaccine injuries.
The HHS provides health insurance for nearly half of the country. It oversees research of vaccines, diseases and cures. and regulates the medications found in medicine cabinets and inspects the foods that end up in cupboards.
The son of the assassinated 1968 presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy is an anti-vaccine and anti-fluoride activist who has in the past been a strong advocate of abortion.
The first Trump administration was unapologetically pro-life during its four years in office.
Former vice-president in that administration Mike Pence opposes Mr. Kennedy’s appointment because of his abortion views.
Mr. Pence stated that the proposed HHS boss “has defended abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, supported overturning the Dobbs decision and called for legislation to codify Roe v. Wade.”
The former vice-president added that Mr. Kennedy would be “the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of the HHS in modern history” if confirmed.
Most pro-life groups joined Mr. Pence in voicing concern over the Kennedy appointment, but Terry Schilling, head of the strongly pro-life American Principles Project, told CBS News, he doesn’t believe it will be an issue.
“RFK Jr. is going to serve at the pleasure of the president. And the president has been very clear that his policy is that there’s no federal role in abortion,” he asserted.
Mr. Kennedy’s vision is a complete overhaul of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical and consumer products.
“FDA’s war on public health is about to end. If you work for the FDA and are part of this corrupt system, I have two messages for you: 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags,” he declared last month.
He has vowed to clear out “entire departments” at FDA, including the agency’s food and nutrition centre which is responsible for preventing food-borne illness, promoting health and wellness, reducing diet-related chronic disease and ensuring chemicals in food are safe.
He has also threatened to fire FDA employees for their “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk, and controversial COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine.
“On January 20, the Trump White House will advise all US water systems to remove fluoride from public water,” Mr. Kennedy warned.
He would reverse the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently recommended 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per litre of water.
The new health czar would overhaul the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which funds medical research on cancers, vaccines and advances such as a medication for opioid addiction, a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, and the speedy development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
In the past, Mr. Kennedy has criticised the NIH for not doing enough to study the role of vaccines in autism.
He’s been an outspoken opponent of Medicare or Medicaid covering expensive weight-loss drugs, like Ozempic or Zepbound even though they are not yet widely covered by either program.
He believes Medicare and Medicaid should, instead, provide gym memberships and pay for healthier foods for those with obesity challenges.
“For half the price of Ozempic, we could purchase regeneratively raised, organic food for every American, three meals a day and a gym membership, for every obese American,” he said.
