Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance for his first confirmation hearing as President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Jan. 29.
Kennedy, who ran for president as a Democrat and then an independent before ending his White House bid and backing Trump in August 2024, entered the chamber to applause from supporters in the audience and shook hands with lawmakers before taking a seat.
The hearing showcased a sharp division between the parties over Kennedy’s views. Most Republicans praised Kennedy for his past advocacy work and his emphasis on addressing the nation’s chronic disease epidemic, while Democrats criticized the founder of the Children’s Health Defense for his stance on vaccine efficacy….