Trump Appoints Kennedy Jr. As Health Department Head
- 15.11.2024, 8:13
The politician is a staunch opponent of vaccination.
US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former independent candidate for the nation's highest office, Robert Kennedy Jr, to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The corresponding message Trump left in the Truth Social network, reports Deutsche Welle.
‘For too long Americans have been under the burden of the food industry and pharmaceutical companies that have engaged in deception, misleading and misinforming when it comes to public health,’ Trump wrote.
‘The safety and health of all Americans is the most important task of any administration, and HHS will play a major role in ensuring that everyone is protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and food additives,’ he added.
‘Kennedy will return these agencies to the tradition of gold-standard scientific research and (make them again. - Ed.) beacons of transparency to end the chronic disease epidemic and make America great and healthy again!’ the Republican declared.
Kennedy Jr. Is Longtime Vaccination Opponent
Robert Kennedy Jr. is a long-time supporter of conspiracy theories and an opponent of vaccination. Both politicians share a distrust of government institutions, the AFP news agency reminded.
In the past few days, Kennedy Jr. has tried to allay fears and said in an interview with NPR, ‘We're not going to take vaccines away from anybody.’ ‘We're going to make sure that Americans have accurate information,’ he added.
Kennedy Withdrew in Trump's Favour
In August, the independent US presidential candidate dropped out of the race and announced his support for the former White House chief executive.
Some observers thought it inconceivable that Kennedy - a member of the most prominent family in the history of the Democratic Party - would co-operate with Trump, Reuters wrote. For instance, he accused Trump of betraying supporters and the latter criticised Kennedy as ‘the most radical left-wing candidate in the presidential race’.
However, in the weeks before Kennedy Jr's decision to withdraw, the teams of both candidates were exchanging compliments intensely and, according to informed Reuters interlocutors, began behind-the-scenes discussions about joining forces.
Gaetz Proposed for US Justice Department Head Position
Earlier it became known that Trump nominated conservative congressman, 42-year-old Matt Gaetz for the post of head of the US Department of Justice and Attorney General of the country.
According to the Utah News Dispatch, the invitation of Matt Gaetz to the position of head of the Justice Department and Attorney General was an extremely unexpected decision, as he remains the subject of an investigation by the U.S. House Ethics Committee in connection with allegations of sexual misconduct, illegal drug use and receiving expensive gifts.