Future US government: opponents of vaccination as health minister? New Trump excitement

US President-elect Donald Trump is causing a stir with another controversial personnel decision. Trump wants to make the once independent presidential candidate and declared anti-vaccination candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of Health in his future administration. Democrats reacted with shock and health experts with alarm. Republicans were initially noticeably reticent to comment. Meanwhile, Trump celebrated with Kennedy and other government candidates at a gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Trump immediately announced the next appointment: the Republican governor of the state of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, will become interior minister in his cabinet. Burgum had been discussed as Trump’s vice presidential candidate during the election campaign before the ex-president chose JD Vance.

The former and future president also wants to give high-ranking government jobs to several lawyers who represented him in the recent criminal cases against him. The same applies to a party colleague who played an important role in defending Trump in one of his two impeachment proceedings several years ago.

Trump has already caused a stir with other outstanding personnel decisions: He wants to put a TV man – the politically inexperienced Fox News presenter and ex-soldier Pete Hegseth – at the head of the Defense Department and an ultra-radical former congressman – the hardliner Matt Gaetz – at the head of the justice department, which is also politically important. With these surprising advances, the 78-year-old himself has perplexed some party colleagues. The Kennedy personality is now added – although less surprising.

From a hopeless application to an influential role

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 Trump’s camp, who could otherwise have cost him valuable votes.

During the election campaign, Trump had already promised to entrust Kennedy with a role in health policy – but it was unclear which one. At a recent rally, Trump said he would “let Kennedy go on health.”

In the face of concentrated criticism, a representative from Trump’s transition team assured in an interview shortly before election day that Kennedy would “of course” not be put in charge of the Ministry of Health.

The 70-year-old comes from the prominent Kennedy family and is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. He was a Democrat for decades, but then increasingly distanced himself from the party. Kennedy 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.

He warns against vaccinating children and claims, contrary to all scientific evidence, that there are no safe and effective vaccinations. In response to his nomination, Kennedy wrote on Platform X that, among other things, he wanted to take action against corruption in the healthcare system.

Trump, in turn, said in a written statement that Kennedy would “end the chronic disease epidemic” and make America healthy again. For far too long, citizens have been confronted with deception and disinformation when it comes to health issues.

Warnings about “dangerous” occupation

Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington State warned on X that Kennedy’s appointment was extremely dangerous. It is difficult to predict how far an anti-vaxxer and conspiracy theorist like him can set America back. “And the consequences are not theoretical – they are a matter of life and death.” Experts also warned that Kennedy was in no way qualified for the office.

Other candidates for Trump’s dream cabinet also have to put up with this accusation. Ministerial positions usually have to be confirmed by the Senate. And even several Republicans in the chamber have already made it known that they have some questions for the candidates. However, Trump is blatantly putting pressure on his party colleagues in the Senate to circumvent the complex confirmation process there through an exception – a highly unusual move.

Posts for several Trump lawyers

Trump also announced other, less prominent personnel details. He wants to appoint former Congressman Doug Collins as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Collins played an integral role in defending Trump in his first impeachment trial.

Two such “impeachment” proceedings were initiated against Trump during his first term in office (2017 to 2021). This had never happened before in US history.

The future president also wants to place several lawyers who represented him in his most recent criminal proceedings in important positions in the government: his defense attorney Todd Blanche, for example, is to be number two in the Justice Department – after Gaetz.

Trump was the first ex-president in US history to be indicted in multiple criminal cases. He has so far been found guilty in one of the proceedings. That didn’t stand in the way of his presidential candidacy.

Candidates parade at Mar-a-Lago

After his election victory, Trump quickly began putting together his future government team and announced various personnel decisions in rapid succession. His plan to entrust tech billionaire Elon Musk, together with former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, as external consultants to cut government spending is also controversial.

Trump doesn’t seem to care about the criticism of his personnel selection. The Republican celebrated his own election victory with his team of candidates at his Mar-a-Lago property. In addition to Kennedy, Musk, Ramaswamy and Gaetz were there, as were the actor Sylvester Stallone and Argentina’s right-wing populist President Javier Milei.