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Stubborn RFK Jr. continues to push for HHS secretary nomination — despite efforts to give him advisory role
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Stubborn RFK Jr. continues to push for HHS secretary nomination — despite efforts to give him advisory role

Kennedy’s health plan apparently has some hiccups.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to express interest in serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services in President-elect Donald Trump’s new Cabinet — despite pressure for him to take a broader health advisory role — the Post learned.

Kennedy is “stubborn” in his push for HHS, a source told the Post, with a second source saying he was becoming difficult to manage in discussions because he is honorary chairman of Trump’s transition team.

The Post previously reported that the neurosurgeon and 2016 presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson is also seeking the HHS spot.

Kennedy spoke at Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden and has supported the former president since endorsing him in August. Stephen YangKennedy spoke at Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden and has supported the former president since endorsing him in August. Stephen Yang

Kennedy spoke at Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden and has supported the former president since endorsing him in August. Stephen Yang

Trump’s transition co-chair – and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald – Howard Lutnick previously said Kennedy would not get a Cabinet spot and would instead be given a position dealing with health “data.”

“No, of course not,” Lutnick told CNN in October. “He won’t be secretary, no.”

“That’s not what he wants to do,” he added. “He just wants data, and he wants to prove things (about vaccines) wrong. And he says, “If I can’t prove them wrong, that’s okay. But if I can, I can save the lives of millions of Americans and improve their lives.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks as Donald Trump listens during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. Getty ImagesRobert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks as Donald Trump listens during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. Getty Images

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks as Donald Trump listens during a campaign rally at Desert Diamond Arena August 23, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. Getty Images

Donald Trump greets Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on stage during a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia. Getty ImagesDonald Trump greets Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on stage during a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia. Getty Images

Donald Trump greets Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on stage during a Turning Point Action campaign rally at the Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024, in Duluth, Georgia. Getty Images

Kennedy would need to be approved by a Senate majority to take a Cabinet position, which could prove difficult, given his stance on vaccines.

But the Democrat-turned-independent, who endorsed Trump in August after he suspended his presidential bid, was optimistic about the power he would have over health agencies.

“(What) Trump promised me is oversight of the public health agencies, which are HHS and its sub-agencies, the CDC, the FDA, the NIH and a few others, as well as the USDA” , Kennedy said at the end of October. video obtained by CNN.

“We need to move away from seed oils and we need to move away from pesticide-intensive agriculture.”

“I’m going to let it run wild on health. I'm going to let him run wild with the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the drugs,” Trump said of Kennedy at his rally at Madison Square Garden last month. REUTERS“I’m going to let it run wild on health. I'm going to let him run wild with the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the drugs,” Trump said of Kennedy at his rally at Madison Square Garden last month. REUTERS

“I’m going to let it run wild on health. I’m going to let him run wild with the food. I’m going to let him go wild on the drugs,” Trump said of Kennedy at his rally at Madison Square Garden last month. REUTERS

The former president praised Kennedy for his views on health care during his campaign events, saying he would let him “run wild” on several issues.

“I’m going to let it run wild on health. I’m going to let him run wild with the food. I’m going to let him run wild with the drugs,” Trump announced at his rally at Madison Square Garden.

Trump adviser Brian Hughes, who is part of Trump’s transition team, told the Post there would be “nothing” released ahead of “any announcements or decisions” by the former president regarding his choice of HHS.

A representative for Kennedy did not respond to a request from the Post.