RFK Jr. Haters May Be Silenced by Forgotten Article from 2008
Thursday’s announcement of President-elect Donald Trump nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services has sparked widespread skepticism.
Though Kennedy lacks formal medical credentials, the primary backlash stems from his outspoken critiques of conventional medicine, vaccines, and broader issues within the U.S. healthcare system.
But is Kennedy really the radical choice many critics claim a more seasoned politician would avoid?
Interestingly, a 2008 article from the left-leaning Politico suggested otherwise, reporting that then-President-elect Barack Obama had considered Kennedy to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Politico piece even noted that appointing Kennedy to the EPA would “please” Hillary Clinton, who later became Obama’s Secretary of State.
Kennedy’s career extends beyond his health advocacy; he made a name for himself as an environmental lawyer.
The same article highlighted his efforts with Riverkeeper, an environmental organization dedicated to combatting pollution in New York. Kennedy also challenged Congress in the mid-1990s over “anti-environmental” legislation. Time magazine even named him one of its “Heroes for the Planet” for his achievements with Riverkeeper.
In addition to his environmental work, Kennedy has been a leading figure in health advocacy as chairman and chief legal counsel for Children’s Health Defense. He has also authored several books, including The Real Anthony Fauci: Big Pharma’s Global War on Democracy, Humanity, and Public Health, published in 2021.
Although the Kennedy name is iconic in American politics, RFK Jr.’s nomination may not be as irrational as critics claim. Yet, left-leaning outlets have been quick to target him, much like they have with other Trump picks.
Media platforms like CNN have lumped Kennedy in with “anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists,” while MSNBC’s Morning Joe aired a segment on Friday featuring Stanford Professor Dr. Kavita Patel, who warned against the nomination.
Patel argued that Kennedy’s appointment could harm “the future health of not just one generation, but several generations.”
Trump’s other nominations, such as Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, have similarly stirred controversy. Despite Hegseth’s experience as a combat veteran with multiple tours, critics point out his lack of high-level military or national security credentials.
Stripping away the criticism, Trump’s choices, including Kennedy and Hegseth, signal his commitment to fulfilling campaign promises.
His administration isn’t being shaped to appease Washington insiders or the so-called deep state. Instead, Trump is prioritizing the voters who helped propel him to the presidency.
The health crisis in America underscores the need for change. According to the Global Obesity Survey, the U.S. ranks 19th out of 200 countries, with 42.74 percent of adults classified as obese.
Additionally, the CDC estimated in February that 129 million Americans are living with at least one chronic illness. With the total U.S. population now at 337 million, these figures suggest far too many citizens are struggling with poor health.
Kennedy may not be the establishment’s first choice, but the data makes one thing clear: change is overdue.