Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was officially sworn in as leader of the nation’s leading public health department, in a ceremony at the White House Thursday.
The newly minted Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kennedy has long been a vocal advocate for tackling rising rates of chronic illness in the country. “For 20 years,” he said Thursday, “I’m up every morning on my knees and praying that God would put me in a position where I can end the childhood chronic disease epidemic in this country.”
“God sent me President Trump.”
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch swore in Kennedy, who was joined in the Oval Office by his wife, Cheryl Hines, and other family members.
Earlier in the day, the Senate had confirmed Kennedy in a 52-48 vote. The opposition included every Democratic senator along with a lone Republican detractor, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. McConnell is a childhood polio survivor and said he took issue with Kennedy’s long-espoused vaccine skepticism.
“He’s not voting against Bobby. He’s voting against me,” Trump later said of McConnell, who he also called “a bitter guy.”
Kennedy has no academic background in health or medicine, but he has become an idolized figure in the “MAHA” movement, or “Make America Healthy Again.” An entourage of “crunchy moms” across the country have touted Kennedy in particular for his criticism of food dyes and other additives.
Now that he has been sworn into the position, Kennedy will oversee the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institutes of Health, among other agencies.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he also plans to sign an executive order establish the President’s Commission to Make America Healthy Again, chaired by Kennedy.
Kennedy said he is “grateful” for the promotion.
“And I’ve told you before,” he said, addressing Trump, “I genuinely believe that you are a pivotal historical figure, and you are going to transform this country.”