Donald Trump has chosen Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for being skeptical about vaccines, as his nominee for Health Secretary.
Kennedy, a member of the famous Kennedy family, has previously made controversial claims about vaccines and autism, which health experts say are false.
If confirmed by the Senate, Kennedy will oversee the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which manages everything from food safety to medical research.
Georges C. Benjamin, the executive director of the American Public Health Association, strongly opposed Kennedy’s nomination, saying that he lacks the necessary qualifications and trust for such an important role.
He warned that Kennedy’s views could harm public health efforts in the U.S. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccines, which has made him a controversial figure. He also has a history of speaking out on other health-related issues, like the country’s addiction crisis.
Kennedy, who ran as an independent presidential candidate before dropping out to support Trump, also wants to address America’s growing addiction and substance abuse issues. However, some of his past personal life stories, like his battle with drug addiction and bizarre incidents, have overshadowed his policy proposals.
Democrats have criticized Trump’s pick, calling Kennedy a “conspiracy theorist.” Some Republicans, like Senator Susan Collins, have expressed concerns about his statements but say they’ll consider his nomination carefully.
Meanwhile, Trump has also made other cabinet picks, including Marco Rubio for Secretary of State and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Trump’s team is shaping up, and with a likely Republican-controlled House, there is strong support for his controversial nominations. However, Kennedy’s health views could be a tough sell for many in Congress.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlne0n191wo