Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services Amid Controversy
The Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary, sparking outrage among public health experts concerned about his anti-vaccine stance and health policy background.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get Started
The future of America as a superpower in research appears grim.
Scientists React to RFK, Jr.’s Confirmation as HHS Secretary
Scientific American·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Kennedy has no academic background in health or medicine, but he has become an idolized figure in the 'MAHA' movement, or 'Make America Healthy Again.'
'God sent me President Trump': RFK Jr. sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services
USA TODAY·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Experts worry that Kennedy could exacerbate public distrust in science and medicine, and many say that his confirmation and the support he’s received is already a concerning sign of that.
RFK Jr.'s Confirmation to Lead HHS Worries Health Experts
TIME Magazine·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
In fairness to them, Kennedy’s past positions on this issue are somewhat irrelevant, as his true passion is undermining the credibility and trustworthiness of life-saving vaccines.
America’s Golden Age (of Contagion)
The Bulwark·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Every Democratic senator voted against Kennedy's confirmation to lead President Donald Trump's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), while Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to oppose Kennedy.
Senate Confirms 'Profoundly Unqualified' RFK Jr. to Lead Nation's Health Agencies
Common Dreams·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
Mr. McConnell has been silent on nominations up until the moment they come to the floor, going so far as to even vote to end debate so the final vote can come up and then vote against the nominees.
New York Sun·3M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Kennedy's confirmation comes amid deep concerns regarding his views on vaccines and public health.
Full list of Republicans, Democrats who voted against RFK Jr.'s nomination
Newsweek·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Kennedy, a former heroin addict, has long been seen as one of Trump’s most controversial cabinet nominees over his long record of questioning vaccine efficacy and spreading conspiracy theories claiming that the U.S. was creating bioweapons, that chemicals in drinking water turn children trans, and that Russia weaponized wifi radiation — the name a few examples.
MEDIAite·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The vote installs one of America’s most prominent vaccine skeptics to run its federal health infrastructure, granting oversight of the very agencies – including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration – that he has spent years battling through lawsuits and public campaigns.
Robert F Kennedy Jr confirmed as health secretary by Senate
The Guardian·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The vote broke nearly along party lines, with 52 Republicans in favor, and 48 Democrats opposed.
Senate Confirms RFK Jr. as Trump's Health Secretary
Breitbart News·3M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
His confirmation marks another win for Trump as he seeks to rapidly overhaul almost every level of government.
Senate narrowly confirms RFK Jr to lead Health and Human Services
BBC News·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee last month, both Democrats and Republicans expressed uncertainty about some of Kennedy’s positions on vaccines and abortion, as well as his lack of specifics in answers to some policy questions.
RFK Jr. confirmed as new health secretary
World News Group·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The GOP has largely embraced Kennedy’s vision to “Make America Healthy Again” by directing the public health agencies to focus on chronic diseases such as obesity.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as Trump's health secretary after a close Senate vote
Boston Globe·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Critics say, however, that giving him a government pulpit risks sowing confusion about vaccine safety, in particular, and that his promises to clear out or remodel federal health agencies risks damaging their ability to provide Americans with safe and adequate health care.
RFK Jr. is now America's top health official after winning Senate confirmation to lead HHS
Salon·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
Kennedy was both a bizarre and expected pick by President Donald Trump to lead Health and Human Services.
Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
MSNBC·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
By voting to confirm Kennedy, the U.S. Senate is wagering the future of our public-health system on a prayer that a conspiracy theorist can build back up the agencies that he and his supporters have spent years breaking down.
The Atlantic·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Kennedy may find himself at a disadvantage, as the Department of Government Efficiency, the group headed by billionaire Elon Musk, moves to cut down the size of the federal workforce and reduce spending.
As HHS secretary, DOGE and Trump may pose biggest hurdles for RFK Jr.
NBC News·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Still, Thursday's vote marks another win for Trump, all of whose Cabinet-level nominees who have come before the Senate have been approved.
Senate votes to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
CNBC·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Most Republicans praised Kennedy for his past advocacy work and his emphasis on addressing the nation’s chronic disease epidemic, while Democrats criticized him for his stance on vaccine efficacy.
RFK Jr. Confirmed by Senate as HHS Secretary
Epoch Times·3M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Kennedy is the latest of Trump's more contentious nominees to secure his confirmation.
Senate confirms RFK despite Democrats' desperate attempts to sink the nominee
The Blaze·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Republicans nevertheless stood by Kennedy, who was a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.
US Senate confirms Robert F Kennedy Jr as Health and Human Services leader
Al Jazeera·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Already, without Congressional cuts or DOGE, actions by the Trump Administration have caused tectonic changes to science in America.
RFK Jr. confirmed as Trump's health secretary, over Democrats' loud objections
NPR·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The confirmation vote highlights the extent of Trump’s influence over the Senate GOP majority, as a slate of contentious nominees who faced questions over whether they could be confirmed – including Kennedy, Pete Hegseth as defense secretary and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence – have been approved by Senate Republicans for top administration posts.
CNN·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Kennedy's confirmation comes at a precarious time for America's vaccination program and its ability to stamp out vaccine-preventable diseases.
“A sicker America”: Senate confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
ARS Technica·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Despite Kennedy fumbling questions on the distinctions between Medicare and Medicaid, most Republicans had supported Trump’s HHS pick throughout the confirmation process — including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), whose panel vetted Kennedy.
New York Post·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
Kennedy, whose outspoken views on and the food industry have also sparked controversy, has said he aims to shift the focus of the agencies he would oversee toward promotion of a healthy lifestyle, including overhauling dietary guidelines, taking aim at ultra-processed foods and getting to the root causes of chronic diseases.
Senate confirms Robert F Kennedy Jr. to serve as Trump's Health secretary
FOX News·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
The rest of the GOP, however, has embraced Kennedy’s vision with a directive for the nation’s public health agencies to focus on chronic diseases such as obesity.
Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is sworn in as Trump’s health chief after a close Senate vote
Boston Herald·3M·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.Kennedy's responses indicated he wasn't familiar with some of his new job duties.
Business Insider·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Despite the opposition, Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation went through, making him the 15th Trump appointee to get confirmed, rapidly outpacing both the Biden-Harris administration and even Trump’s first term.
Senate Confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Next HHS Secretary
Daily Caller·3M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
The rest of the GOP, however, has embraced Kennedy’s vision with a directive for the public health agencies to focus on chronic diseases such as obesity.
WATCH LIVE: Vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. confirmed as Trump's health chief after close Senate vote
PBS NewsHour·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
After all Republicans voted to advance Kennedy's nomination in a procedural vote Wednesday, the final vote is scheduled for Thursday morning.
Senate to vote on RFK Jr.'s confirmation as HHS secretary
CBS News·3M·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.The GOP has largely embraced Kennedy's vision to "Make America Healthy Again" by directing the public health agencies to focus on chronic diseases such as obesity.
Senate Confirms RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary 52-48
Newsmax·3M·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Summary
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services by the Senate in a 52-48 vote, drawing significant backlash from public health experts and Democrats. Critics voiced concerns that Kennedy, a well-known anti-vaccine advocate, will negatively impact public health and trust in science. He has made controversial statements about vaccines, and during his confirmation hearings, he appeared vague on key health issues. Despite this, some health experts hope he will focus on food and nutrition policies. Tongues wag about Kennedy's potential for undermining vaccine efforts and abortion rights while leading major health agencies.
Perspectives
No center-leaning sources available for this story.
History
- 3M
- 3M