Group Led by Mike Pence Opposes RFK Jr.’s Nomination
A group founded by former Vice President Mike Pence has launched an effort to persuade Republican senators to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Reports indicate that Pence, who was Trump’s vice president during his first term, is against Kennedy’s appointment due to his prior support for abortion rights.
“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,” wrote Advancing American Freedom President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Short, who previously served as Pence’s chief of staff, in a letter to senators.
They further stated, “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.”
This marks the second organized effort by Pence and his organization to prevent Kennedy’s confirmation. Following Trump’s announcement of Kennedy’s nomination, Pence released a statement urging senators to reject him, citing his history of supporting abortion, according to The Hill.
Kennedy, who initially launched his 2024 presidential bid as a Democrat, had previously advocated for restricting abortion after the first trimester but later revised his stance. He also voiced opposition to prohibiting abortion before fetal viability, which typically occurs around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
On his campaign website, Kennedy affirmed that he is “a firm supporter of the principles laid out 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade” and that “if the courts do not overturn Dobbs v. Jackson and restore abortion rights, he will support legislation to accomplish the same.”
Despite his past statements, GOP senators have largely remained supportive of Kennedy following private discussions with him. Kennedy has attempted to reassure Republican lawmakers by emphasizing that his personal beliefs are irrelevant and that he intends to carry out all anti-abortion policies established during Trump’s first term.
Trump has maintained that abortion laws should be determined by individual states, in line with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision on Roe v. Wade. Throughout his campaign, he positioned himself as a moderate on the issue.
However, Pence, a steadfast religious conservative, has grown increasingly critical of Trump’s policies, particularly on abortion. He previously characterized Trump’s position as a “slap in the face” to abortion opponents.
That said, Pence expressed that he “welcomed” his interaction with Trump at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral last week, where the two exchanged a handshake.
The event’s broadcast featured several notable moments, including former President George W. Bush playfully tapping former President Barack Obama on the stomach and an engaging conversation between Obama and Trump within earshot of Vice President Kamala Harris.
One of the key moments that drew attention was the brief handshake and exchange between Trump and Pence, marking their first direct interaction since January 6, 2021. That day, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol as Pence, defying Trump’s requests, certified Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, as reported by The Washington Times.
Speaking about the encounter, Pence told Christianity Today Editor-in-Chief Russell Moore on an upcoming podcast episode, “The opportunity to speak to the president yesterday is something that I appreciated, I welcomed.”
“I’ve really been blessed at how much I’ve heard from people around the country who saw [our] handshake and, in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days,” he added. “That’s certainly my hope.”
However, not everyone at the Carter funeral seemed interested in reconciliation. Footage from the event showed Pence’s wife, Karen, avoiding any acknowledgment of the president-elect and incoming first lady, Melania Trump.