Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was officially sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday in a ceremony held at the White House. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch administered the oath of office in the Oval Office, where Kennedy was joined by his wife, Cheryl Hines, and other family members.
The swearing-in marked the culmination of a contentious confirmation process that saw heated debates over Kennedy’s past statements on vaccine safety, chronic illness, and holistic medicine. His nomination, advanced by Senate Republicans, was confirmed in a narrow 52-48 vote, with all Democrats opposing and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell breaking ranks with his party to vote against him.
Following the ceremony, Kennedy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the nation’s top public health agency. He reaffirmed his commitment to addressing what he sees as a growing health crisis in America, particularly focusing on chronic diseases and environmental factors contributing to declining public health.
“For 20 years,” Kennedy stated, “I’m up every morning on my knees and praying that God would put me in a position where I can end the childhood chronic disease epidemic in this country.” He also attributed his appointment to President Donald Trump, reinforcing their shared vision of a restructured healthcare system.
President Trump, who selected Kennedy for the role, used the occasion to reiterate his support for his new health secretary. He also took the opportunity to criticize McConnell, claiming the senator’s opposition was rooted in personal animosity rather than policy concerns. “He’s not voting against Bobby. He’s voting against me,” Trump remarked.
With his new role, Kennedy will oversee a vast federal department that includes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His leadership is expected to introduce significant shifts in health policy, emphasizing holistic approaches to public health, greater scrutiny of pharmaceutical practices, and a renewed focus on food safety and environmental health.
Shortly after the swearing-in, Trump announced an executive order establishing the President’s Commission to Make America Healthy Again, with Kennedy at the helm. The initiative aims to investigate and address the root causes of chronic illness in the United States, aligning with Kennedy’s long-standing advocacy for alternative health strategies.
Despite criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, Kennedy’s appointment has been welcomed by supporters who believe his independent stance and skepticism of mainstream medical practices will bring much-needed reform to federal health agencies. His leadership is expected to be closely watched as he begins implementing his vision for the department.
