Editors' (re)View: Trump nominates RFK Jr. for health and human services

President-elect Donald Trump has announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine advocate, as his pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The decision, revealed Thursday on Trump’s Truth Social platform, has immediately drawn sharp reactions from public health experts and political leaders. Kennedy, whose stance on vaccines has been widely criticized by scientists, is set to oversee a sprawling agency responsible for public health, drug safety, and medical research.

Trump has repeatedly praised Kennedy as a champion against “deception” by the food and pharmaceutical industries, saying the nominee would “end the chronic disease epidemic” and lead efforts to regulate food additives and chemicals. 

Kennedy has also pledged to combat processed foods and impose stricter regulations on herbicides and food additives, drawing support from some corners of the political spectrum. However, his nomination raises questions about how his regulatory vision aligns with Trump’s history of industry deregulation. His proposals to ban pharmaceutical advertising and overhaul FDA processes could face significant resistance.

The nomination is expected to ignite a contentious Senate confirmation process, with Democrats largely opposing Kennedy’s appointment while some Republicans applaud his anti-establishment stance. Public health advocates have warned that Kennedy’s leadership could undermine decades of progress, especially as vaccine-preventable diseases like measles have seen recent resurgences. — Andrea Corona