The Blubber

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., one of President Donald Trump’s most contentious cabinet picks, has officially been sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Kennedy, a former presidential candidate, will now lead key health agencies with approximately 80,000 employees and manage a budget of nearly $1 trillion. His confirmation followed significant controversy, with lawmakers from both parties raising concerns over his history of unfounded health claims and vaccine skepticism.

The Senate confirmed Kennedy in a narrow 52-48 vote on Thursday. No Democrats supported his nomination. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against him.

President Trump personally administered the oath of office in the Oval Office, marking yet another victory in his effort to overhaul federal leadership at every level.

The Senate has been working around the clock to confirm the president’s remaining nominees. On the same day, lawmakers also confirmed Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture in a 72-28 vote.

Kennedy is the second controversial nominee to be confirmed this week, following Tulsi Gabbard’s narrow approval as Director of National Intelligence on Wednesday.

As Health and Human Services Secretary, Kennedy will oversee major agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). His responsibilities will include oversight of public health initiatives, food safety, pharmaceuticals, and vaccination programs.

Kennedy, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election before dropping out and endorsing Trump, faced scrutiny from both parties for his controversial views. Republicans raised concerns about his connections to groups promoting unsubstantiated health claims, his stance on vaccines, and his comments on abortion.

Kennedy founded the organization Children’s Health Defense, which has gained notoriety for questioning the safety of vaccines and promoting the discredited theory that vaccines are linked to autism.

In response to criticism, Kennedy has denied being anti-vaccine, noting that his own children are vaccinated. During his confirmation hearings, he argued that he merely advocates for more rigorous safety studies and testing protocols.

Some Republicans praised Kennedy for his strong stance against food additives and his efforts to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable.