Former Vice President Mike Pence has called on Senate Republicans to reject President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), framing the choice as a betrayal of the pro-life values central to their prior administration. In a sharp statement released Friday, Pence labeled Kennedy’s appointment “deeply concerning” and urged Republican lawmakers to stand against the nomination.
The announcement of Kennedy’s selection came Thursday when Trump outlined his vision for reforming public health in the United States. Praising Kennedy’s commitment to addressing systemic corruption, Trump stated, “For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies. Mr. Kennedy will restore these agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research and beacons of Transparency.”
Kennedy, in a subsequent interview with MSNBC, detailed Trump’s directives for his potential role. “He wants me to clean up agency corruption, return to evidence-based medicine, and reduce chronic disease in children within two years,” Kennedy explained. His stated mission emphasizes a public health overhaul, focusing on transparency, regulatory accountability, and measurable outcomes.
Despite Kennedy’s proposed reforms, Pence strongly opposed the nomination, focusing on Kennedy’s history of supporting abortion rights. In a lengthy statement, Pence underscored the significance of the HHS Secretary in shaping policies that either promote or undermine pro-life principles. “The Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life,” he wrote. “I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans.”
Pence criticized Kennedy’s pro-choice stance, citing his opposition to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision and his advocacy for codifying Roe v. Wade. He claimed that if confirmed, Kennedy would be “the most pro-abortion Republican-appointed Secretary of HHS in modern history.”
Pence’s opposition reflects a growing divide within the Republican Party as Trump’s second-term administration takes shape. While Trump’s base remains loyal, his unconventional choices—like RFK Jr. and Rep. Matt Gaetz for Attorney General—have drawn criticism from more traditional conservatives. Pence’s pointed remarks signal a potential challenge for Kennedy’s confirmation in a Senate narrowly controlled by Republicans.
Pro-life groups have echoed Pence’s concerns, warning that Kennedy’s nomination risks alienating a core segment of the Republican Party. However, Trump’s allies argue that Kennedy’s focus on public health reform outweighs ideological differences, with some pointing to his bipartisan appeal as a strength.
As the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings, Kennedy’s appointment is set to test the cohesion of the Republican Party and its ability to balance Trump’s bold agenda with the expectations of its traditional base.
Sources:
- Official statements from Mike Pence and President-elect Donald Trump.
- MSNBC interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Historical context from Trump-Pence administration HHS policies.
- Public reactions from pro-life organizations and Republican commentators.
- Reporting from Politico and other political news outlets.ν
