RFK Jr. Confirmed as Health Secretary Despite Caroline Kennedy Blasting Him as a 'Predator'

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as the next secretary of health and human services in a 52-48 vote on Thursday, Feb. 13, with only Mitch McConnell breaking from the Republican Party to oppose his nomination.

In order to secure the role, Kennedy, 71, only needed support from half of the 100 United States senators — but even though the Senate is controlled by Republicans in a 53-47 split, his approval appeared far from certain in the weeks leading up to the vote.

Related: Senate Votes on Trump's Cabinet Nominees: Tracking Everyone Who Has Been Confirmed So Far

Once it became clear that Kennedy had swayed enough people into his corner to be confirmed — namely moderate GOP Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski — Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer expressed his frustration with doubtful Republicans for lining up behind Kennedy, calling him "one of the least qualified people" whom President Donald Trump could have picked to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

"A few weeks ago, it seemed like maybe Senate Republicans would have drawn the line on nominees like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and [director of national intelligence pick] Tulsi Gabbard," he said on the Senate floor. "But the past few days have been a stunning capitulation by Senate Republicans. At this point they’re just rubber-stamping people, no matter how fringe they are."

Schumer continued: "If the Senate had a secret ballot, I bet you that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would never have come close to confirmation. His unfitness for the job is simply too obvious and too glaring."

Related: RFK Jr.'s Billionaire Ex-Running Mate Threatens Senators Who Vote Against His Confirmation: 'Please Choose Wisely'

Kennedy, a former Democrat, was met with skepticism from members of both parties during his confirmation hearings in January, given his controversial and flip-flopping views on issues like vaccines and abortion rights.

Trump previously said that he would let Kennedy “do whatever he wants” with government health agencies after being sworn in, and senators spent considerable time grilling him over his history of anti-vaccine rhetoric and refusal to accept some scientific findings.

Related: RFK Jr. Called Out for Saying Black People Should Have Different Vaccine Protocol than White People: 'So Dangerous'

At one point in his first hearing, while speaking about what he hoped to achieve in the role, Kennedy addressed his recent stance against processed foods, clarifying that he didn't want to restrict what Americans would be eating but instead wanted to educate them on the effect it has on their bodies.

"If you like ... a McDonald's cheeseburger, Diet Coke — which my boss [Trump] loves — you should be able to get them," he said as his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, sat behind him. "If you want to eat Hostess Twinkies, you should be able to do that, but you should know what the impacts are on your family and your health."

Related: RFK Jr. Video Ignites Speculation That He Popped a Nicotine Pouch During Confirmation Hearing

A day before Kennedy's hearings began, his headwinds for the role grew stronger after his cousin Caroline Kennedy issued a letter to senators that called him a "predator" and claimed that he was "addicted to attention and power" and ultimately "unqualified" for the role.

Caroline also said that she is concerned by her cousin's personal attributes, accusing him of leading loved ones into deadly drug addictions and alleging that he used to show off to friends by putting mice and chickens in blenders.

Related: RFK Jr.'s Alleged Troubling History with Animals: Blending Mice, Freezing Roadkill, Staging a Bear Accident and Beheading a Whale

A  source close to the Kennedy political dynasty told PEOPLE at the time that "it was a pretty fierce statement" for Caroline, the daughter of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

“She’s so, so private and her speaking out — as harshly as she did — about her cousin is shocking,” the source said, noting that it was "a complete departure for her."

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Her letter came months after five of his siblings issued a joint statement in August 2024 publicly distancing themselves from his decision to join forces with Trump. The statement occurred the same month that Kennedy abandoned his independent 2024 presidential campaign.

Read the original article on People