As flurries of new executive orders crowd news headlines under the Trump administration, it becomes difficult to sift through this wide array of buzzing, drastic change. Among recent changes such as halting Biden-era programs with a focus on sustainability, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, and blocking enforcement of environmental justice laws, a new health secretary took to his platform. 

On Feb. 13, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a staunch anti-vaccine advocate and critic of America’s health system, was officially sworn in as the 26th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Before his confirmation, RFK Jr. received wide criticism from numerous experts and other constituencies. Among those sending letters to Congress was a group of 77 Nobel laureates, who urged the Senate to reject his nomination for a lack of relevant experience in health-related fields. Even his cousin, Caroline Kennedy, brought forth allegations of hypocrisy, misinformed views, and other predatory behaviors. 

Amidst other bold claims made, Caroline Kennedy said that “[RFK Jr.] he is willing to enrich himself by denying access to a vaccine that can prevent almost all forms of cervical cancer and which has been safely administered to millions of boys and girls.” Although he has denied this anti-vaccine stance, RFK Jr.’s past activity with anti-vaccine organizations precedes him. 

Additionally, his stances on a variety of other health issues—support of the idea that vaccines correlate with autism diagnoses, rejection of the idea that HIV causes AIDS, and other beliefs—raised red flags during a Senate Committee hearing, yet did little to deter congresspeople of their firm conviction in the former presidential nominee. 

During the hearing, RFK retracted his pro-choice beliefs in favor of Trump’s pro-life policies and made false claims about Medicare and Medicaid, the largest public health programs in the United States. Additionally, he has promoted conspiracy theories such as the idea that COVID-19 spared Chinese people and Ashkenazi Jews and targeted Caucasians and Black people. 

For these reasons, many politicians, public health experts, and other health professionals believe RFK Jr. is unfit to lead this broad sector of public health. With his assertive and polarizing claims, it is clear he intends to change the health system drastically.

But with a trillion dollar budget, what changes can the United States actually expect under RFK Jr.’s oversight? According to an executive order titled “Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission,” RFK Jr. has multiple aims, though the direct steps to meet these goals are ambiguous. His big focuses lie in curing the chronic disease epidemic, urging transparency around ultra processed foods, and removing conflicts of interest in federal agencies. The specifics of these aims are unknown, however, above all, RFK Jr. has expressed a diligence to Trump’s policies. 

Even so, the nation can expect greater emphasis in research on the pathogenesis of chronic disease and collaboration between entities involved in the processed food market. Although RFK Jr. claims to have no authority over taking vaccines away, he has expressed the desire to increase radical transparency about their impact. 

Overall, the extent to which RFK Jr. will transform the public health system is broad, yet largely unclear. If there is one thing communities within the United States can count on, it is that his actions will be carried out under Trump’s jurisdiction.