President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would nominate former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to run the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). https://image.nostr.build/f4299af201e0b1f62325ecc44e9f2d790f9b536af4c9329b3819fddffe9e4d88.jpg https://www.wired.com/story/trump-anti-vaccine-activist-rfk-public-health-hhs/
Kennedy’s position, however, is still contingent on congressional approval. Previous HHS leaders have had long careers in the public health field or within the department itself before serving as the head. A Republican-controlled Senate might defer to Trump, or it might point to Kennedy’s aggressive promotion of conspiracy theories, long career as a loyal Democrat, and muddled positions on abortion as reasons to block his accession.
Role of HHS: The Department of Health and Human Services oversees a wide range of critical areas, including drug and vaccine safety, food safety, and medical research. Kennedy's leadership in this department will be closely scrutinized given his controversial views on vaccines Kennedy, who recently dropped out of the 2024 presidential race to endorse Trump, is expected to bring a unique perspective to the role. His nomination is part of a broader trend of provocative appointments by Trump, which