in Democrats, Republicans, Trump

Democrats Scream At RFK In Confirmation Hearing: ‘They Used To Be My Friends’

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services, faced a contentious confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. The session was marked by intense exchanges, particularly with Democratic senators who challenged Kennedy on his past positions and statements.

Key Moments from the Hearing:

  • Democratic Opposition: Kennedy expressed dismay at the confrontational tone from former allies, stating, “All these Democrats are opposed to me for partisan issues, they used to be my friends. They agreed with all the issues I’ve been working on my whole career. Now, they’re against me because anything President Trump does has to be discredited, derided, and vilified.”
  • Policy Commitments: In response to concerns about his stance on vaccines and other health policies, Kennedy emphasized his commitment to President Trump’s agenda. He assured the committee that he would enforce the administration’s policies on abortion, including regulations concerning the abortion drug mifepristone, and denied being “anti-vaccine.”
  • Democratic Critique: Senator Elizabeth Warren voiced strong opposition, asserting, “As secretary of HHS, Robert Kennedy will have the power to undercut vaccines and vaccine manufacturing across our country. And for all of his talk about ‘follow the science’ and his promise that he won’t interfere with those of us who want to vaccinate [our] kids, the bottom line is the same: Kennedy can kill off access to vaccines and make millions of dollars while he does it.”
  • Republican Support: Despite past disagreements with some of Kennedy’s views, Republican senators were generally receptive. Senator Ron Johnson lamented the partisanship evident during the hearing, emphasizing a shared goal of addressing public health concerns.

The hearing underscored deep partisan divisions over Kennedy’s nomination, reflecting broader debates about health policy and the direction of the Department of Health and Human Services under the current administration.