Democratic Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed strong support for President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Polis took to social media on Thursday, sharing his optimistic perspective on the nomination and Kennedy’s potential impact.
“He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA,” Polis stated.
The governor, who has been vocal about personal freedoms, reiterated his hope that Kennedy would advocate for choice regarding vaccines while tackling powerful entities like pharmaceutical companies.
“I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what I’m most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health,” he added.
Trump Promises a Transparent, Reformed HHS Under Kennedy’s Leadership
The announcement of Kennedy’s nomination by Trump ignited a national debate. In a bold statement, Trump promised transformative changes in public health under Kennedy’s leadership, vowing to restore the HHS to its “Gold Standard Scientific Research” legacy.
“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump wrote. “Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”
RFK Jr. Criticizes the Democratic Party’s Direction
Kennedy, who initially launched a presidential campaign as a Democrat before endorsing Trump, has been vocal about his disillusionment with his former party. During Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden, he criticized the Democratic Party for what he perceives as its shift toward divisive and militaristic policies.
“The Democratic Party is the party of war. It’s the party of the CIA. You had Kamala Harris giving a speech at the Democratic convention that was written by neocons. It was belligerent, pugnacious. It talked about domination of the world by the United States through our weapons of war. It’s the party today that wants to divide Americans. It’s a party that is dismantling women’s sports by letting men play women’s sports,” Kennedy declared.
He further condemned the party’s alignment with Wall Street and influential figures like Bill Gates.
“It’s the party of Wall Street. It’s the party of Bill Gates, who just gave $50 million to Harris. It’s the party, and the Harris campaign is very proud that it received the endorsement of 50 former CIA agents and officers and of John Bolton and of Dick Cheney,” Kennedy added.
Polis Balances Criticism and Optimism
Polis, who has previously criticized Trump’s leadership, acknowledged the importance of collaboration despite political differences. Recently, he partnered with Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to launch the Governors Safeguarding Democracy coalition, aimed at combating threats like disinformation and cyberattacks.
During an MSNBC appearance, Polis expressed his willingness to work with the incoming administration. “We’re gonna work with him and his administration however we can for our state,” he said.
On social media, Polis echoed these sentiments. “He will face strong special interest opposition on these, but I look forward to partnering with him to truly make America healthy again,” he wrote.
