Kathleen Sebelius, the former governor and HHS secretary under the Obama administration, expressed deep concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr. potentially leading the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She described the prospect as “very frightening” for the American people.
Sebelius explained that having a vaccine skeptic head a scientific agency like HHS could undo decades of public health progress, which she believes would be alarming to Americans who depend on the department for essential resources, information, and oversight of food and medicine. She told CNN’s John Berman that this potential shift would be especially troubling for public health in the country.
Kathleen Sebelius warns against Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading HHS, calling it “very frightening.”
The idea of Kennedy taking on this role has sparked criticism, particularly from those worried that his deep skepticism toward pharmaceutical companies and federal agencies could lead to harmful interference with vital government functions, fuel vaccine hesitancy, and misdirect funds within HHS to support his own views.
While Kennedy’s nomination requires Senate confirmation, the GOP is expected to hold a 53-47 majority, making his confirmation likely. This has only increased concerns among Democrats and public health experts who question his suitability for the job.
Sebelius was quick to dismiss Kennedy’s qualifications for the position, pointing out that he lacks the organizational management experience needed to lead an agency as large and complex as HHS, which has over 83,000 employees and a budget nearing $2 trillion.
During his presidential campaign, Trump had mentioned he would allow Kennedy to have free rein on issues surrounding food, medicine, and public health, a sentiment echoed by his son, Donald Trump Jr., after his father’s election win.
Kennedy, initially a Democratic presidential candidate before switching to an independent bid and endorsing Trump, has been vocal about his mistrust of federal health regulators, calling them “sock puppets” controlled by industry interests.
He has even gone as far as promising to dismantle parts of the FDA, vowing to eliminate corruption within the agency. In October, Kennedy warned FDA employees via social media to “preserve your records” and “pack your bags.”
