The first weeks of Donald Trump’s second presidential term have brought about many controversies. One of which was the Senate’s confirmation of his appointed cabinet officials. Trump has filled his cabinet with many contentious figures. Most notably, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth, as Secretary of Health and Human Services and Secretary of Defense, respectively. These men, chosen by Trump to be a part of some of the highest offices in America, have received scrutiny as of their nomination. Reasons for this scrutiny come from concerns about qualifications, as well as their character. These picks by the 45th and 47th Presidents show his emphasis on appointing people into his administration with established loyalty to him, who will serve his administration as he sees fit.
With any nomination for the President’s Cabinet, more than half the Senate must approve after a hearing. For RFK Jr., his views are pretty well established. Kennedy’s most prominent view is his avocation of the anti-vaccination movement. Up until recently, he was serving as the chairman of an anti-vaccine organization called Children Health Defense. With so much domestic power over the medical practice of Americans, you have to ask the question: does RFK Jr.’s politics warrant the position? The answer is no. RFK Jr. is a radical conspiracy theorist who has made countless scientifically disproven claims about vaccines. One of which is his claim that vaccines have a connection to autism. Which is utterly untrue to decades of research. With the Department of Health and Human Services controlling 18 organizations, including the CDC that recommends vaccines to Americans to limit the loss of lives, should an anti-vaccine activist be running everything? Despite this, RFK Jr.’s biggest impact might not even lie with vaccines but with health care. As the leader of the HHS, Kennedy takes on the execution of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare and Medicaid. With these responsibilities, Kennedy controls 168 million Americans’ health insurance. Recent efforts by the Republican Party to impose work requirements for Medicare and Medicaid services have worried the American people. The requirements put on affordable insurance for all put up a wall that denies people in need of medical attention from receiving any. This provision would likely be enforced by Kennedy if Trump were to ask it of him as of their current relationship. Kennedy was rewarded with this position because he endorsed Trump in the most recent election. Trump knows that Kennedy is desperate for a high-ranking position like this and will do anything to keep it. If this doctrine follows through, then the people of America will simply be less safe. Sick people in impoverished areas who are unable to work will suffer. RFK Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services will be a disaster.
Pete Hegseth, the Defense Secretary for the Trump administration, is not only completely unqualified for the position but also a man whose character is not worthy of his position. Hegseth, a Fox News show host and an Army veteran has just been confirmed by the tie-breaking vote of Vice President J.D. Vance. Hegseth’s vote was close for good reason. In his Senate hearing, he was grilled for being unqualified, his alcoholic tendencies, and his past of abuse. Hegseth has never held a position in government and now holds the most powerful position in the cabinet. A position he has no respect for, evidenced by his claims that the military has lowered their standard to include women. The head of the entire defense department doesn’t believe most women should be in combat. This view shows the exclusive mindset he has as the leader of the Pentagon. On top of this, Hegseth has a history of being a drunk abuser. Hegseth has been accused of showing up to his place of work under the influence and witnesses have said he has repeatedly blacked out and been carried out of family gatherings. In times when he’s been removed from the setting, on his way he shouts prejudiced remarks. Hegseth’s abuse doesn’t stop there, in 2017 he, settled a case where he was accused of rape outside of court. Additionally, accounts by Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law say he was abusive to his ex-wife. His ex-wife allegedly took precautions to alert her family and friends in the event of an outburst from Hegseth. In one instance the former sister-in-law proclaimed that the ex-wife hid in a closet to avoid him. On top of extended family backing claims of his abuse, his mother called him an “abuser of women”, in an email found by the New York Times. Hegseth’s past actions and character are further evidence that he is undeserving of this position. Everything that Hegseth has stood by his entire life cannot be ignored when he is seated in the highest position of the cabinet.
Robert F. Kennedy and Pete Hegseth are some of the worst cabinet members and picks in recent history. Their quality is evident by their past leadership, their character, and their politics. Their nominations make you wonder where the logic was when they were selected. With their installment as the leaders of the biggest federal institutions in the country, Trump has started his second term terribly.
