Bitter Mike Pence Stabs Trump In Back In Final Move Before Inauguration
The Republican Party is facing internal divisions as former Vice President Mike Pence leads a campaign to block Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Pence, long regarded as a steady figure in conservative politics, appears to be positioning himself as a spokesperson for the GOP establishment, directly challenging President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for the influential role.
Through his political group, Advancing American Freedom, Pence is lobbying Republican senators to reject Kennedy’s nomination, citing Kennedy’s past support for abortion access—a stance that conflicts with the party’s predominantly pro-life ideology. In a letter addressed to GOP senators, the organization raises five questions for Kennedy, one of which highlights a prior statement allegedly supporting the right to a late-term abortion.
The letter references Kennedy’s previous claim that women should have the right to terminate a pregnancy at any stage, including full term, without government interference, “even if [the baby] is full term.” According to AAF President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Short, such views contrast sharply with the “strong, pro-life record of the first Trump Administration.”
“While RFK Jr. has made certain overtures to pro-life leaders that he would be mindful of their concerns at HHS, there is little reason for confidence at this time,” the letter states, as first reported by The Daily Wire. “There are hundreds of decisions made every day at HHS that either lead our nation toward a respect for life or away from it—decisions about federal funding for Planned Parenthood, regulations on the abortion pill (currently accounting for three out of every five abortions), insurance coverage of abortion, and more.”
The letter emphasizes: “Whatever the merits of RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative—indeed, whatever other qualities a nominee might possess—an HHS Secretary must have a firm commitment to protect unborn children, or else bend under the pressure and pushback surrounding these daily, critical decisions. We strongly encourage you to reject the nomination of any pro-abortion nominees to serve at HHS. RFK Jr., as well as any other nominated HHS Secretary, must be able to provide satisfactory answers to the list of important pro-life questions attached to this letter.”
The letter concludes by asserting, “The pro-life movement has a strong bench of courageous pro-life leaders who are willing to serve the American people as the head of HHS.” The campaign against Kennedy includes targeted outreach to influential Senate Republicans and a public relations drive to sway public opinion.
The Senate confirmation hearing for President-elect Trump’s choice to lead HHS is set to be contentious. Kennedy has recently sought to temper his public image by voicing support for specific vaccines, including those used against polio.
Scheduled for Thursday, the hearing coincides with the Senate’s ongoing assessment of other Trump Cabinet nominees. With Republicans holding a narrow majority, Kennedy’s confirmation is far from assured. Given that Democrats are expected to present a united front, even minor defections among Republicans could jeopardize Kennedy’s nomination.