
In an unprecedented move within the Kennedy family, Caroline Kennedy publicly called on U.S. senators to oppose the nomination of her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a letter to lawmakers, she described him as a “predator” and criticized his qualifications and “dangerous” views on public health, as reported by Reuters.
Kennedy accused her cousin of misrepresenting himself and highlighted his controversial stance on vaccines. She noted that while he vaccinated his own children, he has discouraged others from doing so, a position she finds contradictory and harmful. She claimed that his “crusade against vaccination” has also been financially beneficial to him, as reported by the Washington Post. She also expressed concerns about his lack of relevant experience in medicine, science, public health, or administration.
U.S. doctors, nurses, researchers, scientists, and caregivers “deserve a secretary committed to advancing cutting-edge medicine, to save lives, not to rejecting the advances we have already made,” said Kennedy, a former ambassador to Australia and Japan who served during the Democratic Biden and Obama administrations. “They deserve a stable, moral, and ethical person at the helm of this crucial agency,” she continued, as reported by Reuters.
This public denunciation is notable given the Kennedy family’s historical emphasis on unity and public service. Kennedy’s decision to speak out underscores her deep concern regarding her cousin’s potential influence on national health policy. “It was a pretty fierce statement,” says a source familiar close to the Kennedy dynasty. “She’s so, so private, and her decision to speak out — as harshly as she did — about her cousin is shocking,” the source told PEOPLE, describing it as “a complete departure for her.”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer, has been a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement. He has led the anti-vaccine group Children’s Health Defense and has been associated with spreading debunked theories linking vaccines to autism. His nomination by President Donald Trump has been met with significant opposition from various quarters.
The Senate is scheduled to question RFK Jr. about his views before voting on his nomination. His confirmation would place him at the helm of a department responsible for overseeing significant health programs and a substantial budget. The outcome of this nomination process remains uncertain, with both support and opposition emerging from various quarters.
Caroline Kennedy’s public opposition to her cousin’s nomination marks a rare and significant rift within the Kennedy family, reflecting broader concerns about leadership in public health during critical times.