RFK Jr.'s Demands for Washington
Food additives, pesticides, and vaccines are included on his agenda titled "Make America Healthy Again."
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump plans to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine activism and work as an environmental lawyer, to the position of secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Should the Senate confirm Kennedy, it would signal a significant transformation of the U.S. public health system. HHS and its divisions are responsible for overseeing drug approvals, food safety, disease surveillance, as well as managing Medicare and Medicaid.
As a member of one of America’s most prominent Democratic families, Kennedy and his "Make America Healthy Again" movement attribute the nation’s public health issues to an alleged corrupt partnership between food and drug industries and the regulators meant to oversee them. Their agenda includes replacing current bureaucrats and revamping the systems for regulating pesticides, food additives, and vaccines.
Many Republicans in Congress have expressed openness to Kennedy’s proposals.
Kennedy and the MAHA movement have outlined their goals:
**Eliminate corporate influences in regulation**
Kennedy has stated he would like to see “entire departments” at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), especially those related to nutrition, removed. The FDA is responsible for developing nutrition guidelines, monitoring food labeling and safety, and addressing food-related health issues such as obesity and heart disease. This aligns with Trump’s commitment to “drain the swamp” and diminish what he describes as the “deep state.”
Jeff Hutt, spokesperson for the Make America Healthy Again PAC and former national field director for Kennedy’s presidential campaign, indicated that MAHA affiliates are helping the Trump campaign vet potential candidates for government appointments. Hutt has also mentioned that Kennedy is collecting suggestions for nominees through a dedicated website.
“When we talk about making America healthy, we really have to talk about corporate capture and the way that large corporations have captured our governmental agencies,” Hutt remarked, emphasizing the movement's aim to establish alternative research and political support that is not dependent on large industries.
Implementing such a major overhaul could prove challenging. Agency staff may resist swift changes, and companies or industry groups could challenge the administration in court if they deem the changes unlawful. However, industry pushback has not fully materialized yet, with many lobbyists awaiting to see the extent to which Trump will integrate MAHA ideas into his policies.
Republicans in Congress have also expressed their intentions to reform health agencies and their general skepticism towards the existing health system. "Science has been corrupted,” Sen. Ron Johnson said on Tuesday. “What can we do to get legitimate science that actually tells these things and end the capture of these federal agencies by large corporate interests?”
**Prohibit pesticides and genetically modified organisms**
In his campaign for Trump, Kennedy advocated for an overhaul of U.S. food production, calling for a ban on pesticides and genetically modified crops, which he claims are detrimental to public health. His legal career includes suing pesticide manufacturers like Monsanto, known for RoundUp.
Kennedy's opponents, particularly lobbyists for major food companies and agribusiness, are actively consulting with important lawmakers to block his appointment to HHS, according to an agriculture lobbyist familiar with these discussions.
Prior to Trump’s election, numerous prominent agricultural organizations sent a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture committees, urging them not to yield to pressures aimed at restricting pesticide use or access to genetically modified crops.
However, industry groups face a complex situation; while their farmer constituents largely support Trump, during his first term, the EPA relaxed regulations on pesticides and other agricultural inputs.
**Heighten scrutiny on food chemicals and additives**
Kennedy aims to intensify scrutiny on food chemicals. Nevertheless, he contends with a well-financed industry that maintains established relationships on Capitol Hill.
Food industry representatives argue that chemical and food additives are already subject to regulation and deemed safe. One anonymous industry lobbyist described Kennedy's approach as "fearmongering," alleging that it capitalizes on consumer anxieties not grounded in science.
While some left-leaning individuals argue for tighter regulations on food additives, they are skeptical about whether Kennedy’s assertions will lead to actual policy changes. “Folks are right to be worried about toxic food chemicals,” noted Scott Faber, a lobbyist for the Environmental Working Group, advocating for state laws banning certain additives. “They're wrong, based on his first term in office, to presume that President Trump will do anything about them.”
**Reevaluate vaccine approvals**
Kennedy is notorious for promoting the discredited belief that vaccines can cause autism. He has criticized the safety of Covid-19 vaccines and described the vaccine approval system as “agency capture on steroids.” Although he has positioned himself as a major voice in the anti-vaccine movement, he claims he is not part of that group and that his own children have been vaccinated. Kennedy asserts the need to scrutinize government vaccine safety data and communicate findings to the public.
The overwhelming majority of health experts and physicians endorse vaccinations, citing a long track record of safe and effective immunizations that have nearly eradicated many diseases in the U.S. They contend that safety data is already publicly accessible.
Lyn Redwood, a nurse and vaccine skepticism advocate, is collaborating with Kennedy on his transition with the Trump administration, according to Hutt. Redwood is the president emerita of Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit chaired by Kennedy that promotes vaccine skepticism.
Concerns over Kennedy’s unproven claims about vaccines have raised alarms among some legislators. “He could be in an advisory role, but he should not be in an official role,” Rep. Larry Bucshon, a cardiothoracic surgeon, commented. “His views on, particularly, vaccinations are not mainstream and have not been.”
While vaccination requirements for schoolchildren are primarily determined at the state level, federal agency guidance significantly influences mandated immunizations.
**Prohibit toxic chemicals**
Kennedy has dedicated much of his career to advocating for stricter regulations of harmful chemicals. Days before the November election, he raised the issue of fluoride in drinking water, claiming on social media that the Trump administration would advise all U.S. water systems to halt fluoridation on Inauguration Day.
Although organizations like the American Dental Association and the CDC recommend small fluoride amounts in drinking water to combat cavities, recent studies have sparked concerns regarding potential effects on children's brain development.
Kennedy’s calls for tougher chemical regulations run counter to the actions taken during Trump’s first term at the EPA, where former chemicals industry lobbyist Nancy Beck was appointed to oversee the agency’s toxic chemicals division. The Trump administration weakened regulations governing toxic chemicals and established a rule that limited the agency’s capacity to utilize studies on pollution impacts on human health. The Biden administration rescinded this rule before it became effective.
As with other sectors Kennedy challenges, lobbyists in the chemicals industry opted to remain silent on the record.
“I don’t know how much impact RFK Jr. is going to have. It’s really hard to reach into the bureaucracies and make change if you know what you’re doing and he doesn’t,” commented one anonymous chemicals industry lobbyist, providing insight into internal strategies.
Kennedy's stance on fluoride illustrates how he is reshaping traditional political alliances. Although major environmental advocacy groups opposed to Trump have not engaged in the fluoride debate, influential scientists and public health experts affiliated with these organizations have expressed concerns about the substance, echoing some of Kennedy's critiques. Recently, a federal judge in California, appointed by former President Barack Obama, sided with progressive anti-fluoride proponents and mandated that the EPA regulate the chemical under the country’s primary toxic chemicals law.
Lauren Gardner contributed to this report.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
Should the Senate confirm Kennedy, it would signal a significant transformation of the U.S. public health system. HHS and its divisions are responsible for overseeing drug approvals, food safety, disease surveillance, as well as managing Medicare and Medicaid.
As a member of one of America’s most prominent Democratic families, Kennedy and his "Make America Healthy Again" movement attribute the nation’s public health issues to an alleged corrupt partnership between food and drug industries and the regulators meant to oversee them. Their agenda includes replacing current bureaucrats and revamping the systems for regulating pesticides, food additives, and vaccines.
Many Republicans in Congress have expressed openness to Kennedy’s proposals.
Kennedy and the MAHA movement have outlined their goals:
**Eliminate corporate influences in regulation**
Kennedy has stated he would like to see “entire departments” at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), especially those related to nutrition, removed. The FDA is responsible for developing nutrition guidelines, monitoring food labeling and safety, and addressing food-related health issues such as obesity and heart disease. This aligns with Trump’s commitment to “drain the swamp” and diminish what he describes as the “deep state.”
Jeff Hutt, spokesperson for the Make America Healthy Again PAC and former national field director for Kennedy’s presidential campaign, indicated that MAHA affiliates are helping the Trump campaign vet potential candidates for government appointments. Hutt has also mentioned that Kennedy is collecting suggestions for nominees through a dedicated website.
“When we talk about making America healthy, we really have to talk about corporate capture and the way that large corporations have captured our governmental agencies,” Hutt remarked, emphasizing the movement's aim to establish alternative research and political support that is not dependent on large industries.
Implementing such a major overhaul could prove challenging. Agency staff may resist swift changes, and companies or industry groups could challenge the administration in court if they deem the changes unlawful. However, industry pushback has not fully materialized yet, with many lobbyists awaiting to see the extent to which Trump will integrate MAHA ideas into his policies.
Republicans in Congress have also expressed their intentions to reform health agencies and their general skepticism towards the existing health system. "Science has been corrupted,” Sen. Ron Johnson said on Tuesday. “What can we do to get legitimate science that actually tells these things and end the capture of these federal agencies by large corporate interests?”
**Prohibit pesticides and genetically modified organisms**
In his campaign for Trump, Kennedy advocated for an overhaul of U.S. food production, calling for a ban on pesticides and genetically modified crops, which he claims are detrimental to public health. His legal career includes suing pesticide manufacturers like Monsanto, known for RoundUp.
Kennedy's opponents, particularly lobbyists for major food companies and agribusiness, are actively consulting with important lawmakers to block his appointment to HHS, according to an agriculture lobbyist familiar with these discussions.
Prior to Trump’s election, numerous prominent agricultural organizations sent a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture committees, urging them not to yield to pressures aimed at restricting pesticide use or access to genetically modified crops.
However, industry groups face a complex situation; while their farmer constituents largely support Trump, during his first term, the EPA relaxed regulations on pesticides and other agricultural inputs.
**Heighten scrutiny on food chemicals and additives**
Kennedy aims to intensify scrutiny on food chemicals. Nevertheless, he contends with a well-financed industry that maintains established relationships on Capitol Hill.
Food industry representatives argue that chemical and food additives are already subject to regulation and deemed safe. One anonymous industry lobbyist described Kennedy's approach as "fearmongering," alleging that it capitalizes on consumer anxieties not grounded in science.
While some left-leaning individuals argue for tighter regulations on food additives, they are skeptical about whether Kennedy’s assertions will lead to actual policy changes. “Folks are right to be worried about toxic food chemicals,” noted Scott Faber, a lobbyist for the Environmental Working Group, advocating for state laws banning certain additives. “They're wrong, based on his first term in office, to presume that President Trump will do anything about them.”
**Reevaluate vaccine approvals**
Kennedy is notorious for promoting the discredited belief that vaccines can cause autism. He has criticized the safety of Covid-19 vaccines and described the vaccine approval system as “agency capture on steroids.” Although he has positioned himself as a major voice in the anti-vaccine movement, he claims he is not part of that group and that his own children have been vaccinated. Kennedy asserts the need to scrutinize government vaccine safety data and communicate findings to the public.
The overwhelming majority of health experts and physicians endorse vaccinations, citing a long track record of safe and effective immunizations that have nearly eradicated many diseases in the U.S. They contend that safety data is already publicly accessible.
Lyn Redwood, a nurse and vaccine skepticism advocate, is collaborating with Kennedy on his transition with the Trump administration, according to Hutt. Redwood is the president emerita of Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit chaired by Kennedy that promotes vaccine skepticism.
Concerns over Kennedy’s unproven claims about vaccines have raised alarms among some legislators. “He could be in an advisory role, but he should not be in an official role,” Rep. Larry Bucshon, a cardiothoracic surgeon, commented. “His views on, particularly, vaccinations are not mainstream and have not been.”
While vaccination requirements for schoolchildren are primarily determined at the state level, federal agency guidance significantly influences mandated immunizations.
**Prohibit toxic chemicals**
Kennedy has dedicated much of his career to advocating for stricter regulations of harmful chemicals. Days before the November election, he raised the issue of fluoride in drinking water, claiming on social media that the Trump administration would advise all U.S. water systems to halt fluoridation on Inauguration Day.
Although organizations like the American Dental Association and the CDC recommend small fluoride amounts in drinking water to combat cavities, recent studies have sparked concerns regarding potential effects on children's brain development.
Kennedy’s calls for tougher chemical regulations run counter to the actions taken during Trump’s first term at the EPA, where former chemicals industry lobbyist Nancy Beck was appointed to oversee the agency’s toxic chemicals division. The Trump administration weakened regulations governing toxic chemicals and established a rule that limited the agency’s capacity to utilize studies on pollution impacts on human health. The Biden administration rescinded this rule before it became effective.
As with other sectors Kennedy challenges, lobbyists in the chemicals industry opted to remain silent on the record.
“I don’t know how much impact RFK Jr. is going to have. It’s really hard to reach into the bureaucracies and make change if you know what you’re doing and he doesn’t,” commented one anonymous chemicals industry lobbyist, providing insight into internal strategies.
Kennedy's stance on fluoride illustrates how he is reshaping traditional political alliances. Although major environmental advocacy groups opposed to Trump have not engaged in the fluoride debate, influential scientists and public health experts affiliated with these organizations have expressed concerns about the substance, echoing some of Kennedy's critiques. Recently, a federal judge in California, appointed by former President Barack Obama, sided with progressive anti-fluoride proponents and mandated that the EPA regulate the chemical under the country’s primary toxic chemicals law.
Lauren Gardner contributed to this report.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
