Future US government: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should become Trump’s health secretary

The once independent US presidential candidate and declared anti-vaccination candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is to become health minister in the future US government. President-elect Donald Trump announced this on the online platforms X and Truth Social. Kennedy would end “the chronic disease epidemic” and make America healthy again, Trump wrote. For far too long, citizens have been confronted with deception and disinformation when it comes to public health.

Trump had already announced during the election campaign that he would entrust Kennedy with a role in health policy. Trump said he would commission “the best minds,” including Kennedy, to improve children’s health. The aim is to halve the number of cancer, depression and suicides among children within four years. Trump did not say how this would be achieved.

A few days before the election, Kennedy announced that Trump had promised him “control” of the Department of Health and Agriculture. He announced that he wanted to make Americans healthier, among other things, by moving away from the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture.

The lawyer, who was once known as an environmental activist, initially ran in the presidential election as an independent candidate, but then withdrew his already hopeless candidacy. He switched to the Trump camp, which he could otherwise have cost valuable votes.

The 70-year-old comes from the prominent Kennedy family. He is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. He was a Democrat for decades, but then increasingly distanced himself from the party. The declared vaccination opponent is often criticized not only by Democrats, but also by members of his family for spreading conspiracy theories and contacts with right-wing extremist politicians.

Trump’s government team is taking shape

After his election victory last week, Trump immediately began putting together his future government team and quickly announced various personnel decisions. Among other things, he wants to put TV presenter Pete Hegseth at the head of the Defense Department, and the ultra-radical former congressman Matt Gaetz should become Minister of Justice. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem is expected to take over the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security.

Ministerial positions usually have to be confirmed by the Senate. However, Trump has advocated getting around this with an exception.

The Republican has also announced various advisory positions or high-level jobs in the White House that don’t require Senate confirmation anyway. He would like to entrust tech billionaire Elon Musk as an external advisor to cut government spending.

In Trump’s first term in office from 2017 to 2021, there were an unusually high number of personnel changes in the Republican government. He regularly threw down ministers or other employees – but others threw themselves out of their own accord. Those nominated so far are considered extremely loyal.