Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long been a polarizing figure: hailed as an environmental champion yet publicly criticized for spreading dangerous misinformation. On Feb. 13, he was confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Named “Hero for the Planet” by TIME Magazine in 1999, Kennedy has an extensive resume, having worked as an assistant district attorney, an adjunct professor of law, a founder of nonprofits, and a democratic candidate.
In 2024, Kennedy ran as an independent presidential candidate but withdrew to support Donald Trump. After allying with Trump, Kennedy was nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). According to its official website, the mission of the HHS is to “enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.” The department works to protect the health of all Americans.
During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy provided limited details on his policy intentions. While he recently assured Republican Senator Bill Cassidy that he would maintain current vaccination programs, he has historically advocated against vaccines, falsely claiming that they could cause autism. Kennedy’s lack of knowledge on programs like Medicare and Medicaid is another cause of concern for many senators. He struggled to provide clear or detailed answers when questioned on issues such as eligibility requirements, funding structures, and reimbursement processes. “He has a long and unambiguous history of totally unscientific claims which have no evidence,” Paideia teacher John Terry says, “In fact, his spread of misinformation in Samoa resulted in the deaths of dozens of children.”
Kennedy has also radically changed his opinion on abortion to line up with Trump’s. Despite a lifetime of pro-choice stances, Kennedy’s position shifted during his presidential campaign as he continuously repeated, “Every abortion is a tragedy,” when questioned. Despite these controversies, many supporters argue that Kennedy’s environmental advocacy could bring fresh leadership to the HHS. In January, Kennedy’s own cousin, Caroline Kennedy, expressed her concerns, labeling him a “predator” and “hypocrite” as she recounted troubling behavior from their youth. Her public condemnation contrasted her strong reputation for privacy as she highlighted issues like financial conflicts of interest and character flaws. “He lacks any relevant government, financial, management, or medical experience,” Caroline Kennedy said.
To achieve his confirmation, Kennedy achieved a simple majority victory in the Senate. 51 senators voted in favor of his confirmation, meaning he assumed leadership as Secretary of HHS.
