Robert F. Kennedy sworn in as new U.S. Secretary of Health

US President-elect Donald Trump has caused a stir with another controversial personnel decision. Trump hopes to have Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former independent presidential candidate and avowed anti-vaccination candidate, serve as health secretary in a future administration.

Democrats are alarmed, and so are health experts. Republicans were initially visibly reluctant to comment. Meanwhile, Trump celebrated with Kennedy and other administration candidates at a gala at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

further personal details

Trump immediately announced his next appointment: North Dakota Republican Governor Doug Burgum will serve as Cabinet Secretary of the Interior. Burgum was discussed as Trump's vice presidential candidate during the campaign before Trump selected J.D. Vance.

Doug Burgum wants to be vice president, but now he has to settle for the Interior Department.Image: trapezoid

The former and future president also wants to offer senior government jobs to several lawyers who represented him in recent criminal cases against him. The same applies to a party colleague who was instrumental in defending Trump during two impeachment proceedings several years ago.

Trump’s other personnel decisions have already caused a stir: He wants to name a TV personality — Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and former soldier with no political experience — as defense secretary and an ultra-radical of former members of Congress—hardliners. Matt Gaetz – Head of the Department of Justice, which is also politically important. The surprising moves by the 78-year-old have confused some party colleagues. Now added – albeit less surprisingly – was Kennedy's personality.

From hopeless application to impactful role

The lawyer once described as an environmental activist originally ran as an independent candidate in the presidential election, but then withdrew from his already hopeless candidacy. He moved to the Trump camp or he risked losing valuable votes.

Kennedy faced criticism among his own family for associating himself with right-wing extremists.Image: trapezoid

During the campaign, Trump had pledged to entrust Kennedy with a role in health policy, but it was unclear which one. At a recent rally, Trump said he would “keep Kennedy healthy.”

Facing concentrated criticism, a representative of Trump's transition team assured in an interview shortly before Election Day that “of course” Kennedy would not be in charge of the Department of Health.

Kennedy's vaccine resistance

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 later distanced himself from the party. Kennedy was frequently criticized not only by Democrats but also by his own family for spreading conspiracy theories and engaging with right-wing extremist politicians.

He warned against vaccinating children and claimed that, contrary to all scientific evidence, no safe and effective vaccination existed. In response to his nomination, Kennedy wrote on Platform X that, among other things, he wanted action to combat corruption in the health care system.

Trump said in a written statement that Kennedy would “end the chronic disease epidemic” and make America healthy again. Citizens have long faced deception and disinformation about health issues.

Warning about 'dangerous' professions

Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., warned on X that Kennedy's appointment was extremely dangerous. It’s hard to predict how far anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists like him will set America back. “The consequences are not theoretical – they are a matter of life and death.” Experts also warned that Kennedy was simply unqualified for the position.

Other candidates for Trump’s ideal Cabinet must also live with this accusation. Secretary positions usually must be confirmed by the Senate. Even several House Republicans have said they have some questions about the candidates. Yet in a highly unusual move, Trump openly pressured his party colleagues in the Senate to use exception rules to circumvent the complex confirmation process.

Posts from several Trump lawyers

Trump also announced other less dramatic personnel details. He wants to appoint former Congressman Doug Collins as Veterans Affairs Minister. Collins played an integral role in Trump's defense during his first impeachment trial.

During Trump’s first term (2017-2021), two such “impeachment” proceedings were launched against Trump. This has never happened in American history.

The future president also wants to place several of the lawyers who represented him in recent criminal proceedings into prominent positions in the government: For example, his defense attorney Todd Branch will become the No. 2 person in the Justice Department, Second only to Gates.

Trump is the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted in multiple criminal cases. So far, he has been found guilty in one of the proceedings. This did not hamper his presidential candidacy.

Mar-a-Lago candidate parade

Big names in show business also appear: Sylvester Stallone, for example.Image: trapezoid

After winning the election, Trump quickly began to form his future government team and announced various personnel decisions one after another. His plan to commission tech billionaire Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy as outside advisers to cut government spending is also controversial.

Trump seems unfazed by criticism of his personnel choices. The Republican celebrated his election victory with his team of candidates at his Mar-a-Lago resort. In addition to Kennedy, Musk, Ramaswamy and Gates were also present, along with actor Sylvester Stallone and Argentina's right-wing populist president Javier Miré. (Leo/Syrian Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)