Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) is facing criticism after expressing enthusiasm about President-elect Trump’s decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Polis shared his excitement on social media, stating, “I’m excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA,” referencing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Trump’s nomination of Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer, has raised concerns among Democrats and public health experts. Many fear that Kennedy could disrupt key agencies, fuel vaccine hesitancy, and direct funding in ways that align with his personal beliefs.
Hawaii’s Governor Green slams Polis for backing Kennedy, citing fears over vaccine hesitancy
Kennedy, who has long expressed distrust toward pharmaceutical companies and the agencies that regulate them, has called federal health regulators “sock puppets” controlled by industry interests. He has pledged to overhaul the FDA, promising to eliminate corruption within its ranks.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green (D) voiced his disappointment over Polis’s support for Trump’s nomination. In an interview, Green stated that while he likes Polis personally, he disagrees with the governor’s endorsement, arguing that it casts doubt on well-established scientific processes and fuels unnecessary fear among parents, potentially leading to a drop in vaccination rates and widespread disease.
Colorado state Senator Kyle Mullica (D) also criticized Polis, calling his support for Kennedy “irresponsible and disappointing,” as reported by Colorado Public Radio (CPR).
Susan Lontine, the executive director of Immunize Colorado and former state legislator, echoed concerns over Polis’s endorsement, though she expressed hope for collaboration in future legislative sessions. Lontine stated, “We’re disappointed and concerned by Gov. Polis’ support of RFK Jr.’s appointment,” as reported by CPR.
New York Times columnist Ezra Klein provided further context to Polis’s comments following an interview with the governor, in which Polis shared his disappointment over Kennedy’s departure from the political coalition.
Polis explained that Kennedy’s supporters played a outstanding role in his own coalition, and recalled how he had to threaten to veto vaccine mandates in Colorado in order to avoid them. Polis also noted ongoing efforts to legalize raw milk in Colorado, as part of a broader agenda of empowering individuals to make personal health decisions.
Klein’s report also quoted Polis as stating, “I certainly believe in vaccinations,” but emphasizing that people should have the personal freedom to make their own choices if data cannot convince them otherwise. “Our bodies, our choice” applies not only to issues like abortion but also to health care decisions, including vaccinations and food choices, Polis explained.
