RFK JR's opinion of vaccines is firing in a controversial hearing in the US Senate | Donald Trump News

Nominee by US President Donald Trump to lead the Federal Health Department says he is not an “anti-vaxine” as Democrats zero in his previous remarks.

Robert u Kennedy Jr. has encountered a number of questions about his history of distribution of conspiracy theories during a controversial hearing of the United States Senate on his nomination for President Donald Trump's Health Secretary.

Kennedy, who was elected to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), spent most of the hearing on Wednesday, seeking to dispel the idea of ​​being an “anti-vaxine”.

“The news claims that I am an anti-vaxine and the anti-industry-I am none. I'm pro-cost, “he told the Senate Financing Committee.

“I believe that vaccines play a critical role in healthcare,” he added.

But Kennedy, a former environmental lawyer and the son of the late US senator Robert F Kennedy, has become a political polarizing figure and one of the most reflective candidates for Trump's cabinet.

Critics have denied him many past false claims that question the safety of vaccines, including during the Covid-19 pandemic.

At the beginning of the hearing on Wednesday, the best Democrat of the group, the senator Ron Wayden, said Kennedy had “adopted conspiracy theories, charlatans (s) charlatans, especially in terms of the safety and efficacy of vaccines.”

“He did the job of his life to sow doubt and discourage parents to receive their children with life -saving vaccines. It was lucrative for him and put him on the verge of enormous power, “Widen said.

I just pressed the RFK -Jr. on its position on the vaccines. This is a simple question and the person Trump wants to manage the health system of our nation cannot give a right answer. https://t.co/f98thux3q0

– Ron Waiden (@ronwyden) January 29, 2025

Other Democrats also pointed out some of Kennedy's past statements to question his ability to lead HHS, which runs health programs in the country.

Senator Michael Bennett asked the nominee for his previous claim that the Covid-19 pandemic was designed to target white and black people while sparing the Jews and Chinese from Ashkenazi.

Kennedy replied that he quoted federal studies without being developed.

Bennett also asked Kennedy about the claim that Lyme disease was “probably military engineering biological treatment”.

“I probably said that,” Kennedy replied.

But the Republicans who control the Senate in 100 places have largely supported the Kennedy nomination.

All Trump Cabinet photos have been confirmed so far, such as Vice President JD Vance Casting A Voting Last week, to promote Pete Heget's confirmation as the new Pentagon chapter.

Kennedy, who will face another hearing in front of a separate Senate Committee on Thursday, needs 50 votes to be confirmed.

Taking into account of Washington, Colombia County, on Wednesday afternoon, Al Jazeera's correspondent Mike Hannah noted that the hearing was largely, as expected, with “Softball questions” by Republicans and more congratulations from the Democrats.

“Republicans seem to be fully supported (about Kennedy's nomination), although there were some questions about his ability to manage a massive, widespread insurance system in this country,” Hannah said.

Kennedy was also pressed to his position with respect to abortion, Hannah added. While his position has shifted over the years, Kennedy said on Wednesday that he would support the Trump administration Abortion policiesincluding the presence of the pill MifepristoneS

Kennedy runs as independent in the presidential race in 2024. dropping And it supports Trump in August.

He said on Wednesday that if confirmed, he plans to fulfill a promise to “make America healthy again” – a play on Trump's Make American Again slogan.