In a razor-thin 52-48 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday, solidifying one of President Donald Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks.
The decision places Kennedy—a figure known for his outspoken skepticism of vaccines and federal health policies—at the helm of key U.S. health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
A Polarizing Appointment
Kennedy, 71, rose to prominence as an environmental attorney before evolving into a fierce critic of vaccines and government-led health initiatives. His appointment has ignited fierce debate, with opponents voicing concerns about how he would navigate public health crises given his well-documented opposition to pandemic-era vaccination campaigns.
At his heated Senate confirmation hearing, Kennedy defended himself, arguing that his stances had been misrepresented and that he had no intention of stripping Americans of vaccines or processed foods—a nod to critics who fear his influence over federal health regulations.
