In a surprising turn of events, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), a position that New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham had previously aspired to under the Biden administration.
Rio Grande Foundation chief Paul Gessing wrote on X, “RFK takes MLG’s dream job.”
This development underscores the shifting dynamics in U.S. health policy leadership and highlights the political recalibrations following the recent presidential election to a shift away from the status quo of Washington elites.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and prominent vaccine skeptic, has been a controversial figure in public health discussions. His nomination to lead HHS has elicited mixed reactions. Supporters commend his advocacy for transparency and reform in health agencies, while critics express concern over his stance on vaccines and public health measures.
Kennedy’s appointment aligns with President-elect Trump’s inclination to include unconventional figures in his administration, reflecting a broader strategy to challenge established norms in health policy.
Far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had been considered a leading candidate for the HHS secretary role during Joe Biden’s transition in 2020, for which she extensively lobbied. Her sordid background includes serving as New Mexico’s health secretary and tenure in Congress, along with her dealings in New Mexico’s shady high-risk insurance pool, of which she profited handsomely.
Despite her active role as a surrogate for Biden on the campaign trail, Lujan Grisham was not selected for the position in the Biden administration.
The recent election, in which President-elect Trump secured 312 electoral votes, has crushed all likelihood of Lujan Grisham attaining the HHS secretary position.
Her close association with the Harris campaign and her alignment with far-left Democrat health policies, such as abortion up-to-birth, contrast sharply with the incoming administration’s direction, which is independent of the establishment. This political shift underscores the challenges Democratic leaders face in securing key federal positions under Trump’s conservative administration.
The nomination of Kennedy over Lujan Grisham highlights the divergent health policy philosophies between the two administrations. While Lujan Grisham has advocated for on-demand abortions and “Medicare for All,” Kennedy’s views on vaccines and health agency reforms suggest a potential departure from traditional public health strategies.
As the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings, Kennedy’s nomination doesn’t appear to have received as much pushback as other nominees, such as Trump’s choice for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida. His previous statements and positions on public health issues will likely be central to the discussions, influencing the confirmation process.
However, the one thing that is clear is that Lujan Grisham won’t get anywhere near the federal administration of a Democrat president and certainly nowhere near the Department of Health and Human Services.