RFK Jr. claims Trump has pledged to give him ‘control’ of HHS, USDA

By Ben Leonard, Chelsea Cirruzzo, Sophie Gardner | 10/30/2024 12:41 PM EDT

An appointment of Kennedy to a Cabinet position like HHS secretary would require Senate confirmation, which could be a significant hurdle.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump shake hands during a campaign rally.

Donald Trump has expressed interest in tackling addiction, childhood chronic disease and obesity, all of which align with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s priorities. Rebecca Noble/Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Monday that former President Donald Trump has promised him “control” of HHS and the Department of Agriculture, according to a video obtained by POLITICO.

Speaking at a virtual event, the former presidential candidate said “the key that President Trump has promised me is control of the public health agencies, which are HHS and its sub-agencies, CDC, FDA, NIH, and a few others … and then also the USDA.”

Kennedy did not specify whether he was referring to the HHS secretary post. An appointment of Kennedy to a Cabinet position like HHS secretary would require Senate confirmation, which could be a significant hurdle given his vaccine skepticism and other controversial positions.

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Kennedy, who mounted a Democratic primary, then a long-shot independent presidential bid before endorsing Trump this summer, might be more able to accomplish his goals in a White House job that does not require Senate confirmation.

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