WASHINGTON, Sept 6 – President Donald Trump is standing firmly behind Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing rising concern from Congress and health experts as his broad revisions to national vaccine policy take effect. Despite the mounting risks of lowered vaccination rates and the political fallout such a shift could bring, Trump has chosen to support Kennedy’s approach, underscoring his readiness to challenge long-standing institutions in American healthcare.
Since taking over the top health role, Kennedy has significantly reshaped policy by cutting federal funding for vaccine research, reducing public access to COVID-19 shots, and replacing the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These moves have rattled the medical community, who warn that fewer vaccinations could open the door to disease outbreaks and undermine decades of progress in fighting preventable illnesses. For Trump, the potential hazards are as much political as they are medical, since any health crisis sparked by these changes could land squarely on his administration’s shoulders.
Still, Trump has made clear that Kennedy has his confidence. When pressed by reporters about the controversial health secretary following a tense congressional hearing, Trump defended him, describing Kennedy as “a very good person” with “different ideas” who “means very well.” The president added that in a time of global health challenges, he values having someone unafraid to take a new approach.
A Complicated Alliance
The bond between Trump and Kennedy has been described by insiders as regular but not overly close. A White House official noted that while the two speak often, Trump does not share Kennedy’s deep passion for vaccine skepticism. Even so, the president trusts his judgment and remains committed to backing him in the face of criticism.
Kennedy was rewarded with the cabinet post after his health-focused movement, branded “Make America Healthy Again,” helped generate support for Trump in the 2024 election. The health secretary’s political pedigree as a member of the Kennedy family added further intrigue to his appointment. Kennedy himself briefly pursued a presidential bid as both a Democrat and an independent before stepping aside and endorsing Trump, a move that strengthened their alliance.
Trump had previously sought to reassure observers about Kennedy’s appointment, suggesting that his new secretary would not pursue radical change. At the time, Trump described him as having “an open mind” and predicted he would be far less extreme than critics expected. Yet Kennedy’s actions so far have been anything but cautious, sparking debate about just how much latitude Trump is willing to grant him.
Trump’s relationship with vaccines has always been a complex one. During his first term, he pushed forward Operation Warp Speed, the program that accelerated the development of COVID-19 vaccines and is credited with saving countless lives. But he has often hesitated to publicly embrace vaccines, a reflection of his political base’s widespread skepticism toward government-mandated health measures. Recent polling shows that while Democrats have become more confident in vaccines over the last few years, Republicans have grown increasingly doubtful. That divide has only heightened the political sensitivity surrounding Kennedy’s role.
Some Republican leaders, including those in Florida, have recently moved to end state vaccine mandates entirely, even for schoolchildren. Trump himself offered a more nuanced view, praising the historic success of vaccines like polio while cautioning against sweeping exemptions. His comments highlight the delicate balancing act he faces: crediting the life-saving power of vaccines while accommodating the anti-mandate views of many of his supporters.
Experts warn that Kennedy’s stance could carry dangerous consequences. Data from medical research institutions has shown that COVID-19 vaccines prevented millions of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. Ignoring such evidence, they argue, could undermine confidence in science and lead to preventable tragedies if vaccine coverage continues to decline.
Political Risk
The political risks for Trump are equally stark. If an outbreak occurs due to falling vaccination rates, Kennedy’s policies could quickly become a liability. Allies warn that while Trump may tolerate controversial decisions for now, he has little patience for actions that embarrass him or damage his image. Should Kennedy’s approach result in a public health crisis, the president may be forced to distance himself.
During recent hearings, Kennedy was sharply criticized by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, reflecting bipartisan discomfort with his leadership. At the same time, his suggestion that Trump deserves a Nobel Prize for his efforts in speeding vaccine development drew a warm response from the president. For Trump, the lack of recognition for Operation Warp Speed continues to be a sore point, and Kennedy’s praise appears to have strengthened their alliance.
Polling data indicates that strong majorities of voters, including many Trump supporters, believe vaccine policy should be guided by doctors and scientists rather than politicians. That sentiment poses an additional challenge for Kennedy’s agenda, especially as concerns grow that political interference could weaken trust in public health institutions.
Administration figures such as Vice President JD Vance have fiercely defended Kennedy on social media, attacking critics as out of touch with the public. Yet among public health professionals, alarm is rising that Trump and Kennedy’s partnership represents a “marriage of convenience” that could have devastating results for healthcare, biomedical research, and disease prevention in the years ahead.