Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis expresses caution but is “excited” about President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy, known for his anti-vaccine stance and listed among those spreading significant vaccine misinformation in 2021, was announced as Trump’s choice for the top health position on Thursday.
While many health professionals reacted with concern regarding Trump’s selection and numerous Democrats seemed less than enthusiastic about Kennedy’s potential role as HHS secretary, Polis conveyed his enthusiasm about the announcement.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Democratic governor reminisced about how Kennedy assisted him in “defeating vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019,” referring to vaccination requirements for diseases such as polio, which claimed countless lives before vaccines became widely accessible. “I’m excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov,” Polis stated. “He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will contribute to making America healthy again by reforming HHS and the FDA.”
“I hope he focuses on personal choice regarding vaccines instead of bans (which I find to be terrible, just like mandates), but what I’m most hopeful about is addressing big pharma and the corporate agricultural oligopoly to enhance our health,” he continued. Polis also shared several quotes from Kennedy, asking his followers not to “mock him or disagree.”
The quotes outlined Kennedy’s ambitions to reduce prescription drug costs, dismantle the FDA’s nutrition department, and move away from pesticide-heavy agriculture. “He will encounter strong opposition from special interests on these matters, but I look forward to collaborating with him to genuinely make America healthy again and hope we can finally make headway on these crucial issues,” Polis wrote.
Kennedy replied to the governor’s post, stating, “Thank you, Governor Polis. I look forward to working with you. Let’s Make America Healthy Again.” Polis’s commendation for Kennedy was somewhat puzzling, considering the governor criticized him and his “Make America Healthy Again” slogan just a few months prior, shortly after Kennedy paused his independent presidential campaign and endorsed Trump. “Not sure how bringing back Measles and bringing back Polio makes anyone more healthy…” Polis remarked in an X post on August 25.
Newsweek reached out to Polis’s office for comment on Thursday night. Eric Maruyama, the governor’s spokesperson, clarified via email that Polis “has not changed his overall view on RFK Jr. or on the Governor’s previously expressed concerns regarding some of RFK Jr.’s positions.” “While he opposes RFK’s views on various issues, including vaccines and fluoridation bans, he would welcome action on pesticides and initiatives to reduce prescription drug costs.
If Trump is going to nominate someone like him, then they should also address soda, processed foods, pesticides, and heavy metals contamination,” Maruyama stated. “However, he absolutely does not endorse actions that would lead to measles outbreaks and stands against unscientific propaganda that erodes trust in the lifesaving benefits of vaccines,” he added. “The Governor himself was vaccinated last week with the flu and COVID vaccines.”
Polis, who faced criticism for imposing vaccine mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasized that vaccines were not the reason for his support of Kennedy in another X post on Thursday, asserting that vaccination is vital for “public health and safety.” “Science must remain the foundation of our nation’s health policy, and the science-backed decision to get vaccinated enhances public health and safety,” Polis wrote.
“But if we truly followed the science as a nation, we would also be much more concerned about the effects of pesticides on public health, agricultural policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to affordable prescription drugs.”
“This is why I advocate for a significant overhaul of institutions like the FDA that have hindered efforts to lower drug costs and promote healthy food options,” he added. “To be clear, I am vaccinated, as is my family. I will hold any HHS Secretary to the same high standard of safeguarding and enhancing public health.”
