Mark Halperin is suggesting that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could be nominated as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration. Halperin mentioned on Wednesday that while this move is not guaranteed, it appears “increasingly likely.” Kennedy’s nomination would likely face significant scrutiny, but it is not an impossible outcome. “First of all, it is increasingly likely, it’s not definite, that Bobby Kennedy will be nominated to head HHS. Many people in the Trump world want that to go to Ben Carson, but he could be nominated,” Halperin said.
“The only way, now that the rules have changed, to stop somebody from being confirmed is to keep them from getting a majority.” The confirmation process would require at least four Republican senators to join a united Democratic front, Halperin explained. “So right now, assuming everybody votes, and given that the vice president is a Republican, we’ll break the tie, you need to not get—you need to stop them from getting 50 votes, 53 Republicans. That means that every Democrat and four Republicans at least need to vote no,” the former political director noted.
“So when you’re talking about will Pete Hegseth get confirmed for defense or will Matt Gaetz get confirmed for Attorney General, you can think about the Democrats and if any of the Democrats, some Democrats’ attitude will be the President’s entitled to his nominees. Now, the two most likely do that previously, Manchin and Sinema, are gone, but John Fetterman, just one name off the top of my head,” he added.
Halperin emphasized that Trump’s demand for loyalty may force Republican senators to conform. “But it’s also possible that the White House will say: ‘The president wants everybody confirmed, and he’s taking names and watching.’ Everybody’s going to vote for his nominees because he’s entitled to his cabinet. So for those of you who say, Pete Hegseth, Kristi Noem, Bobby Kennedy, he’s nominated for a confirmable position.”
As Kennedy’s potential nomination draws nearer, the upcoming confirmation battle is expected to provide valuable insight into the dynamics of Trump’s new administration and the Senate’s readiness to align with his leadership. Kennedy Jr.’s possible nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services in a Trump administration represents a fascinating clash of political ideologies and public health perspectives. On one hand, his family name is synonymous with Democratic politics. If nominated, it would create a rare, albeit seemingly symbolic, bipartisan moment by placing a Kennedy in a Republican administration, albeit under deeply polarized circumstances.
CNN reported Thursday afternoon that President-elect Donald Trump was “on the verge” of nominating RFK Jr.
Disclaimer: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.