The letter cites Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism, history of drug use, and support for big government.
Former vice president Mike Pence’s advocacy group is urging Republican Senators to oppose President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Advancing American Freedom sent a letter to Republican Senators Monday expressing concerns with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s support for conspiracy theories, anti-vaccine stances, past liberal views, and prior struggle with heroin addiction, National Review has learned.
“RFK has expressed support for conspiracy theories involving vaccines and WiFi, adopted positions that would undermine public order, increase nuisance, and massively increase the size of government, while exhibiting numerous, widely reported, personal failings that would likely undermine his ability to lead the department,” the letter reads.
Advancing American Freedom’s letter highlights Kennedy’s efforts to halt measles vaccinations in Samoa and his unsubstantiated claims that Wi-Fi radiation can harm the brain. The group also notes Kennedy’s heroin addiction and presidential campaign promise to increase access to marijuana and psychedelics.
Advancing American Freedom similarly asserts that Kennedy’s history of supporting abortion on demand contrasts with the pro-life policy record of President Trump’s first term. The group previously spotlighted Kennedy’s support for abortion in a letter sent to Senators last week.
Pence, who did not endorse Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, issued a statement in November strongly criticizing Trump’s selection of Kennedy to oversee HHS.
“I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades,” Pence stated.
During his presidential campaign, Kennedy said he opposed abortion restrictions across the board, before walking back that position and clarifying that he only supports abortion until fetal vaibility.
Kennedy attended Trump’s inauguration Monday at the U.S. Capitol with his wife Cheryl Hines and many of Trump’s other cabinet picks. A scion of the Kennedy family political dynasty, RFK Jr. built a career as a prominent anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer,
An outspoken critic of the U.S. healthcare system, Kennedy preches a “Make America Healthy Again” agenda to rid the food supply of toxins, promote healthy lifestyles, tackle America’s chronic disease epidemic, and reduce the power of the pharmaceutical industry. His ideas have garnered interest on parts of the left and right that share suspicions of corporate interests and their closeness to the public health establishment.
Some Republican Senators have voiced concerns about Kennedy’s policy positions on issues such as abortion, vaccines, and pesticides. Others Republican lawmakers have embraced MAHA with open arms and hope to work with Kennedy on bringing its ideas to fruition.
“Whatever the merits of RFK’s Make America Healthy Again initiative and the need to reform America’s broken healthcare system, his constant embrace of conspiracy theories and personal moral failings will severely hamstring his ability to reform HHS,” Advancing American Freedom’s letter concludes.
“The Conservative Movement has a deep bench of courageous leaders who are willing to reform HHS to serve the American people without RFK’s baggage. We strongly encourage you to embrace your constitutional advise and consent duty by rejecting the nomination of RFK.”