The Case for Bobby Kennedy
By Sarah Campise Hallier
From governors, pharmaceutical company presidents, surgeons, attorney generals, EPA administrators, and even former Chiefs of Staff, the position of Secretary to Health and Human Services (HHS) of the United States has been filled by multi-talented individuals from all walks of life. So, the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr should come as no surprise to the American people. Except that it does.
Kennedy’s HHS nomination may be the most controversial in the last 20 years, but the media’s reaction (both mainstream and the buzz on social media) has been unprecedented. From claims that he will single handedly bring back measles to shrieks of disdain over unsubstantiated anti-vax claims, Donald Trump’s nomination, much like the election win, brings with it a polarized group of dumbstruck, dazed, and disbelieving individuals who still aren’t over the shock of election night. The case for Bobby Kennedy is complicated, convoluted, and downright confusing.
If you haven’t read one of RFK Jr’s many New York Times bestselling books, this might be the perfect time to order a few. Kennedy’s slew of supporters range from Del Bigtree to Brian Hooker, PhD, many of whom are proud to cheerlead for members of the Disinformation Dozen, a group of doctors, social justice advocates, and alternative medicine gurus who have committed to publicly crusading for vaccines to be cleaner, safer, and mandate-free for decades. What the mainstream media WON’T tell you is that most are not actually anti-vax (a label unfortunately given to anyone who questions anything about vaccines).
Due to Kennedy’s support for many of these people and the organizations they represent, along with his creation of Children’s Health Defense, whose mission is to secure a world free of childhood chronic health conditions caused by environmental exposures, he has been demonized. But let’s dig into why.
Vaccines
Kennedy has regurgitated the same talking points for years. “I am not anti-vax. My children are all vaccinated.”
According to the Children’s Health Defense website, “Vaccines that are injected into our children should undergo rigorous testing to prove safety and efficacy before going on the market. Unfortunately, industry-funded vaccine studies are inherently flawed and poorly designed. Almost none use inert placebo controls (and even some of the so-called “placebos” contain problematic adjuvants like aluminum), and there are no long-term double-blind studies.” The information presented on RFK Jr.’s website is consistent.
“The entire schedule has never been properly tested despite what we hear from vaccine makers and our federal health agencies, who claim it would be ‘unethical’ to withhold life-saving vaccines from children. How can they know vaccines are ‘life-saving’ or that benefits exceed risks while they’re still in the testing stage?”
Kennedy makes a strong point that the media has trouble refuting, so they’re very good at simultaneously chanting, “but the science!” Except their inability to point to the science is limited. According to Steve Kirsch (whom the media has touted as the next millionaire turned Covid-misinformation spreader), there are over 300 pages of CDC documents showing at least some evidence that maybe we should take a closer look at vaccines due to conflicting study results. Anyone who agrees with this has or will be cancelled, publicly shamed, and discredited.
According to the CDC, “Before a combination vaccine is approved for use, it goes through careful testing to make sure the combination vaccine is as safe and effective as each of the individual vaccines given separately.”
However, Kennedy has been incredibly vocal regarding the testing of vaccines.
“FDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to measure proposed vaccines against true inert placebos… CDC has never studied the impacts on children’s health of combining 50 plus vaccines.”
In addition, experts believe that receiving multiple vaccines in one day is totally fine on the immune system. Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, a professor of public health, an infectious disease epidemiologist, and a pediatrician at the Yale School of Public Health, says: “Theoretically, there’s not a maximum number of vaccines you can get at the same time if you’re willing to have sore arms — you could get four or five together.”
Contrary to what many people believe, Kennedy has never claimed that vaccines are ineffective or that they shouldn’t be available to those who want them. Instead, he has focused on advocating for stricter safety protocols, including thorough testing of vaccine ingredients and ensuring that current manufacturing and regulatory standards meet the highest benchmarks for public health. His position centers on transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry, not the elimination of vaccines altogether.
Most recently, the New York Times’ piece titled “Kennedy’s Lawyer Has Asked the F.D.A to Revoke Approval of the Polio Vaccine,” shined a light on the media’s infatuation with vaccine misinformation. The article stated that Aaron Siri, the lawyer who filed a petition on the behalf of Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), (as well as referencing him as the lawyer helping Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pick federal health officials for the incoming Trump administration) “petitioned the government to revoke its approval of the polio vaccine.” The petition was actually filed in 2022 and only included reference to one of the six licensed polio vaccines that are currently on the market.
Per the lawsuit, ICAN’s main claim (among many) is that the IPOL vaccine trial only lasted three days. A recent evaluation of the duration of clinical trials submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for pediatric drug approvals showed that data on drug efficacy and safety in children may require an additional 6 years. If this is the case, ICAN’s petition is timely. With conflicting evidence regarding the increase of chronic childhood illnesses over the past decade, taking precautions on any drug that is massed-injected into over 90% of America’s children should be paramount. Tying Kennedy to ICAN’s two year old lawsuit in an attempt to tarnish his credibility publicly is irresponsible at best. Often, what you read in the media isn't actually factual, and this time the New York Times dropped the ball.
Soapbox Stances
With impressive academic achievements reflecting his unwavering commitment to a truth that he wholeheartedly believes in, Kennedy has dedicated himself tirelessly to causes that don’t exactly fit the narrative that mainstream media often promotes. A 2024 USA Today article highlights the very rhetoric he passionately advocates. For instance, he has raised serious concerns about the widespread use of weight loss drugs, questioning their safety and long-term effects on consumers. His call to fire 400 NIH employees reflects his belief in the need for greater accountability and transparency within government agencies.
On a broader scale, he has criticized the presence of fluoride in water supplies, arguing that its risks outweigh its purported benefits, and has pushed for stricter oversight of pesticides and farming practices to protect both the environment and public health. Furthermore, Kennedy has emphasized the importance of preventative care, urging medical schools to integrate nutrition education into their curricula — an often-overlooked component of healthcare. These positions showcase his dedication to reforming systems that, in his view, prioritize profits and bureaucratic complacency over the health and safety of individuals. Examining his stances could take a lifetime, as his commitment to serving what he believes to be the common good seems almost endless. But upon further examination of his somewhat lonely soapbox, the maze of Kennedy’s causes tend to point to one common cliche — follow the money.
Whether he is advocating for vaccine safety, promoting pesticide protection, prioritizing public health, or pushing for pervasive policy change, Kennedy’s enthusiastic approach to raising awareness definitely ruffles the feathers of the seasoned political birds. The status quo has ruled for decades — lobbyists and lawmakers pushing agendas that teeter between their self-serving agendas and white-knuckling their limitless terms and overstayed welcomes. Kennedy is a breath of fresh air in a world that has lived stagnant for too long. His viewpoints scare them. His potential power terrifies them.
The Hippies
The confusion surrounding Robert F. Kennedy Jr. finds its roots over 50 years ago. The long-haired, rebellious hippies who once led a revolutionary cultural shift now surprisingly don’t support him. These were the same counterculture icons who defied convention, protested the quagmire of Vietnam, and dismantled centuries of traditional ideologies in the early ‘70s. Today, however, they’ve traded their defiance for conformity, eagerly lining up for their injections, browsing Whole Foods with masks firmly in place — modern day warriors of wellness in a new-age battlefield.
Their lifestyles once screamed “FU” to the 60s and 70s versions of authority figures like the Faucis, Pelosis and Bidens (yes, they were around back then). Yet now, they exalt these same political dynasties, treating them as demigods who will supposedly restore the nation to a Democratic Republic.
Kennedy and Nicole Shanahan’s decision to switch sides highlights a crucial truth — the institutions controlling the Democratic Party today are nothing like they were 40, 30, or even 20 years ago. A monumental shift has occurred. Kennedy isn’t the first Democrat to challenge it, but he’s the one making waves. With decades of experience — studying, writing about, and living through these changes — he’s now using his national platform to take a stand.
To the ex-hippies who have traded rebellion for government allegiance — Kennedy has your number, and he’s not afraid to call you out.
The Future
Whether or not Kennedy is appointed as HHS Secretary isn’t the central story here. In the end, the replacement, much like the many bureaucrats before them, will continue the job. What matters more is the seismic shift Kennedy represents — one that goes beyond political appointments. A lifelong Democrat, Kennedy has traversed a path where the discomforting truths he’s unearthed have become too big to ignore, despite efforts to silence him.
Each of his platforms has propelled him into a fight against the very institutions that have held sway for generations, like a modern David against a Goliath of bureaucracy and corruption. From the unifying force of his MAHA movement, to his ability to connect with groups that have historically been marginalized or forgotten — moms, seniors, workers displaced by industry, the medically injured, and environmental outcasts — Kennedy has ignited a spark of hope in those who’ve felt voiceless for too long. This unexpected coalition of “misfits,” united by their shared struggle, is proof that Kennedy’s message resonates far beyond traditional partisan lines.
The night he walked onto the stage in Arizona, the roar of the crowd — a moment of near-uncontrollable support — shook the political landscape to its core. Even Trump, for a moment, seemed taken aback by the intensity of the applause. It was a sign of things to come. A shifting of allegiances, ideologies, and expectations. Kennedy’s rise, against all odds, proves that there’s still room for transformation in our polarized nation. No matter what happens in the race for the HHS appointment, one thing is certain — Kennedy is not just campaigning for a position. He’s campaigning for a revolution in how we view health, politics, and our future.
Sarah Campise Hallier, M.A. grew up in central California around a large dinner table of organic vegetables from her mother's backyard garden. Those dinner table conversations sparked Sarah’s passion for a healthy lifestyle, and she found that pen and paper satisfied her need to share those experiences with others. When not writing for a Voice for Choice Advocacy, she enjoys traveling with her husband, four kids, and an adorable pup, Scout.