The confirmation prospects for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), took a significant hit Thursday.
More than 15,000 doctors and medical professionals signed a letter denouncing the nomination as a “slap in the face” to science. The letter, organized by the Committee to Protect Health Care and posted online, harshly criticized Kennedy’s history of spreading health misinformation.
“His decades of spreading dangerous disinformation, undermining public health efforts, and promoting conspiracy theories make him wholly unfit to lead the nation’s most critical health agency,” the letter stated.
As NBC News reported, the letter emphasized the importance of evidence-based leadership at HHS, asserting that Kennedy’s appointment would jeopardize the health of millions of Americans. “The health and well-being of 336 million Americans depend on leadership at HHS that prioritizes science, evidence-based medicine, and strengthening the integrity of our public health system. RFK Jr. is not only unqualified to lead this essential agency — he is actively dangerous,” the letter read.
Kennedy, a prominent anti-vaccine activist, has been a polarizing figure in public health debates for years. His nomination has drawn sharp criticism from both medical experts and public health advocates, who warn that his leadership could undermine trust in essential health initiatives.
With the Senate’s slim GOP majority, Kennedy’s path to confirmation faces significant hurdles. Losing more than three Republican senators could derail his bid, a possibility that looms larger amid growing backlash from the medical community.
Asked to respond to the criticism, Kennedy’s spokesperson Katie Miller dismissed the letter as “just another grift” aimed at raising money. “These attacks are designed to bilk donors,” Miller said, brushing off the concerns raised by the health professionals.
The controversy surrounding Kennedy’s nomination reflects broader tensions over public health policy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Critics argue that Kennedy’s history of promoting conspiracy theories and opposing vaccines disqualifies him from leading a department responsible for overseeing the nation’s health.
As the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings, the backlash highlights the challenges Kennedy faced in gaining support amid widespread skepticism about his suitability for the role.