RFK Jr. Sworn in as HHS Secretary Amid Political and Policy Debates

In a closely watched confirmation vote, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as the secretary of Health and Human Services. The oath-taking ceremony was held in the Oval Office with Kennedy, his wife Cheryl Hines, and their children present, as he placed his hand on a Bible and was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. His appointment was secured with a 52-48 vote in a Senate largely divided along party lines, with only one Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell, dissenting due to his personal connection with polio and strong support for vaccines.

During the ceremony, Kennedy recalled his first visit to the Oval Office in 1962 when he met with his uncle, then-President, discussing environmental issues and national fitness. He expressed his lifelong dedication to combating chronic childhood diseases, mentioning that he had spent two decades praying to be in a position to address this epidemic. Kennedy also credited President Trump for fulfilling promises and supporting his journey, a notable acknowledgment given his previous presidential run and subsequent endorsement of Trump.

Kennedy's vision for the HHS includes a major overhaul of federal dietary guidelines and a broader push towards promoting a healthier lifestyle across the nation—a campaign he has branded as "Make America Healthy Again." His approach aims to address the root causes of chronic diseases while taking on controversial subjects such as ultra-processed foods. Despite his longstanding identification with the Democratic Party and family legacy, his recent alliances with far-right figures, partly due to his vaccine skepticism and outspoken views on the food industry, continue to spark debate in the political arena.