Pence opposes RFK Jr. nomination as HHS secretary
Former Vice President Mike Pence offered rare and notable criticism of President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, railing against Kennedy’s stance on abortion as he positioned himself as a check on the incoming Trump administration.
“I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades,” Pence said in a statement, reflecting the views of some in the conservative wing of the Republican Party.
Pence has largely avoided weighing in on Trump’s 2024 campaign since suspending his own bid in October 2023. He said in March that he “cannot in good conscience” endorse Trump, but has otherwise refrained from commenting on Trump’s decisions. Friday’s statement marks a significant departure from that and could signal a more active role from Pence going forward.
Pence called on Senate Republicans to “reject this nomination” amid an uncertain path for the Kennedy confirmation process likely to begin in the coming months.
He warned that Kennedy “would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history.”
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