Lagatar24 Desk
Washington D.C.: President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Robert F Kennedy Jr, an environmental activist and prominent vaccine sceptic, as the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This controversial selection has stirred discussions due to Kennedy’s outspoken opposition to vaccine mandates, despite his advocacy for combating chronic diseases.
Who is Robert F Kennedy Jr?
Robert F Kennedy Jr., born on January 17, 1954, in Washington, D.C., is a member of the influential Kennedy political family. He is the son of former US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy and the nephew of President John F Kennedy. Both his father and uncle were assassinated in the 1960s.
Kennedy holds degrees from Harvard University, the London School of Economics, and the University of Virginia Law School. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law from Pace University, where he co-founded the Environmental Litigation Clinic and served on the faculty for over three decades.
Achievements in Environmental Advocacy
Kennedy’s environmental career began in the 1980s when he founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, an organisation dedicated to clean water advocacy. His efforts in restoring New York’s Hudson River earned him international recognition, including the title “Hero for the Planet” by TIME Magazine. Under his leadership, the Waterkeeper model expanded to over 300 groups globally.
Kennedy played a key role in the New York City watershed agreement, now a benchmark for sustainable development. He has also successfully litigated against major corporations like Monsanto and DuPont for environmental contamination.
A Controversial Vaccine Stance
Kennedy’s appointment as HHS Secretary has raised eyebrows due to his vocal opposition to vaccines. As the founder of Children’s Health Defense, Kennedy has claimed to support vaccine safety while promoting debunked theories linking vaccines to autism and asserting that COVID-19 vaccines target specific ethnic groups. Studies show Kennedy’s social media accounts have been significant sources of vaccine misinformation.
Despite widespread evidence supporting vaccine safety and efficacy, Kennedy has consistently collaborated with anti-vaccine groups, endorsed anti-vaccine literature, and filed lawsuits against media outlets for perceived bias.
Publications and Personal Life
Kennedy is a prolific author, with notable works including Crimes Against Nature (2005) and The Real Anthony Fauci (2021). He has also written children’s books on American history and Saint Francis of Assisi.
Kennedy is married to actress Cheryl Hines and has seven children from three marriages.
