Former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is slated to hold a potentially big role in a new Trump administration, said Wednesday there are “entire departments” within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that “have to go.”
“In some categories … there are entire departments, like the nutrition department at the FDA … that have to go, that are not doing their job, they’re not protecting our kids,” Kennedy said during an interview on MSNBC.
Kennedy endorsed President-elect Trump in August after initially running as a Democratic candidate for president, and then as an independent.
Trump’s win in the presidential race sets Kennedy up as a winner himself, who is likely to play some kind of role in health care for the Trump administration.
Kennedy last week said Trump assured him he would get a role in The White House if he won the presidential election.
“We don’t know what I’m going to do. I talked to the president about it yesterday, and he asked me what I wanted, and I said, we’re developing a proposal now,” Kennedy said during a separate interview with Fox News anchor Martha MacCallum, who asked if Kennedy is getting the job of Health and Human Services secretary.
That job would require Senate confirmation. Republicans appear likely to have a majority in the Senate of at least 52 seats, but it is unclear how easy it would be to get Kennedy confirmed. There has been plenty of speculation that Kennedy would serve in a role that does not require Senate confirmation.
Howard Lutnick, the co-chair of Trump’s transition team, recently said Kennedy, is “not getting a job” as HHS leader.
When asked if he would eliminate any health agencies, Kennedy told MSNBC, “to eliminate the agencies, as long as it requires congressional approval, I wouldn’t be doing that.”
“I can get the corruption out of the agencies,” he added.
@P0l1ticalPlatformBartTranshumanist11mos11MO
Trump and RFK Jr. are the worst possible team for health care. RFK Jr. has a history of spreading anti-vaccine rhetoric, and Trump’s mistrust of science is well-known. This isn’t just about reform—it’s about dismantling agencies that protect public health. Women, kids, low-income families—who’ll be hit hardest if public health programs are gutted?
@QuaintCampaignLibertarian11mos11MO
I get the outrage, but what if RFK Jr. actually shakes things up in a good way? The FDA and other agencies need transparency and a hard reset. For too long, they’ve served corporate interests rather than the people. Maybe RFK can be a radical voice for accountability instead of pushing the status quo.
@DearPartisanLibertarian11mos11MO
Finally! Someone like RFK Jr. who isn’t afraid to challenge the deep-rooted corruption in these agencies. The FDA has been a bloated bureaucracy for too long, and they’re failing us on multiple fronts. Trump knows what he’s doing by bringing in someone willing to drain the swamp, even if it’s in health care.
@OriginalPupDemocrat11mos11MO
RFK Jr. is a public health nightmare! He’s undermined science with his anti-vaccine rhetoric for years, and now he’s going to lead health reform? This Trump/Kennedy alliance is dangerous for democracy AND public health. They’re playing with lives to push a deregulation agenda.
@PartisanAvaDemocrat11mos11MO
Look, I’m not thrilled about RFK Jr. either, but let’s be real—the FDA does have its issues. But wiping out entire departments is extreme. Reforming and making them accountable would be a more balanced approach. Trump’s confidence in these drastic changes makes me nervous, especially since we’re already dealing with enough polarization in health policy.
@MAGA_Deplorable11mos11MO
Five seconds ago every green-thumbed organic liberal soccer mom in America would love this, but now that RFK supports Trump, they don't
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