In an interview on Wednesday with NBC News, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. outlined his vision for reforming the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and improving public health in the U.S. if appointed to a key role in the upcoming Trump administration. Kennedy Jr. emphasized his intention to target corruption within government agencies, particularly those related to public health and safety, and outlined several specific steps he plans to take.
Speaking candidly about his views on the FDA, Kennedy Jr. said he would consider removing entire departments, particularly within the agency’s nutrition division, which he criticized for failing to protect public health. He pointed to products like Fruit Loops, which he claimed contains a long list of ingredients in the U.S. while similar products in Canada have far fewer.
“There are entire departments, like the nutrition department at the FDA, that are not doing their job,” Kennedy Jr. said. “They’re not protecting our kids.”
While he made it clear he would not eliminate agencies outright without congressional approval, Kennedy Jr. pledged to address what he described as “corporate corruption” within these institutions, especially those that regulate the food and pharmaceutical industries. He argued that the agencies should be restored to a “gold standard” of science, focused on evidence-based medicine and research that prioritizes the health of Americans, especially children.
Kennedy Jr. stated that President-Elect Donald Trump had asked him to focus on three specific goals if given a position within the administration: cleaning up corruption, returning agencies to an evidence-based approach, and tackling the growing problem of chronic diseases in the U.S., particularly among children.
“We need measurable, concrete results within two years,” Kennedy Jr. said, referring to Trump’s goal of reducing chronic disease rates among American children.
When asked about the role he might play in the administration, Kennedy Jr. said he was still considering his options. While he mentioned he was not sure about a potential nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, he suggested that he might be more effective as a health czar, a role within the White House focused on health policy. He confirmed that discussions with Trump about his role are ongoing.
“I’m going to make sure that Americans have good information, the best gold standard science about their food and medicines, and then leave the choice to them,” Kennedy Jr. said, explaining his approach to health policy.
Kennedy Jr. also addressed his stance on vaccines, emphasizing that while he would not support any vaccine mandates, he believed in informed choice based on scientific evidence. He stated that he would ensure that safety and efficacy studies are available to the public to help individuals make their own health decisions.
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy Jr. reflected on the U.S.’s response, pointing to the country’s high death toll in comparison to its share of the global population. He said he would not have blocked COVID vaccines outright, but would have pushed for transparency and the best available scientific data.
On another health issue, Kennedy Jr. reiterated his long-standing opposition to fluoride in public water supplies. While he acknowledged that water districts currently using fluoride would not be compelled to stop, he said he would advise them of the latest scientific findings and legal risks, referring to a recent court ruling that could require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its stance on fluoride.
As he plans for a potential role in the Trump administration, Kennedy Jr. said he would spend the next few months building a team and developing a detailed strategy, with the goal of implementing meaningful change quickly after taking office in January 2025.
“I’ve been fighting corporate corruption for 40 years,” he said. “Once the agencies are not corrupt, Americans are going to be a lot healthier.”
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
