In a surprising political move, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed that former President Donald Trump has allegedly promised to grant him substantial control over multiple public health agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), should Trump win a second term in office. Kennedy’s statement has ignited debate over the future of federal public health policies, with both supporters and critics expressing strong reactions.
Kennedy, known for his stance against certain vaccine policies and his skepticism of public health protocols, made the claim during a recent interview. He stated that Trump has privately assured him authority over key health agencies, allowing him to implement reforms aligned with his health views, which often diverge from mainstream medical consensus. “President Trump has promised me full control over these agencies if he’s elected,” Kennedy said. “He believes our public health policies need a complete overhaul, and he trusts me to make it happen.”
The implications of Kennedy’s alleged influence over HHS and USDA policies have drawn intense scrutiny. HHS, overseeing agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), plays a central role in public health, disease prevention, and drug approvals. The USDA, responsible for food safety and nutrition guidelines, would also fall under Kennedy’s control in this proposed arrangement. Health experts and political analysts have voiced concerns that Kennedy’s appointment could lead to a sharp pivot in federal health policies, given his controversial views on vaccine mandates and other public health measures.
Critics argue that Kennedy’s approach to public health could potentially undermine years of established scientific progress. “Allowing RFK Jr. to control HHS and USDA is a dangerous gamble,” said Dr. Mark Evans, a public health expert. “His positions on vaccines and other health policies run counter to mainstream science, and his appointment could put public health initiatives at risk.” Many worry that Kennedy’s influence could reshape federal health policy in ways that deviate from evidence-based practices, affecting everything from immunization guidelines to food safety standards.
Supporters of the proposal, however, see Kennedy’s potential role as a necessary disruption to what they describe as a rigid, bureaucratic approach to health. Trump campaign advisor and health policy advocate Sarah Thompson praised Kennedy’s focus on personal freedom and reform, stating, “RFK Jr. would bring fresh eyes to federal health agencies. This is an opportunity to question policies that may no longer serve the public’s best interests.”
Trump’s campaign has not confirmed Kennedy’s claims, and it remains unclear if the arrangement is formal or contingent upon Trump’s re-election. The former president has previously praised Kennedy’s commitment to “freedom of choice” in health matters, making the endorsement plausible to his base, yet divisive among public health professionals.
Kennedy’s statements come at a time when public health remains a prominent election issue, with candidates divided on topics from pandemic preparedness to vaccine policies. Should Trump win in November and follow through on his alleged pledge, Kennedy’s potential oversight of HHS and USDA could mark a significant shift in American public health policy.