The battle for President Donald Trump’s next Health Secretary is heating up, and it’s shaping into a drama that might surprise you. Former Vice President Mike Pence, no stranger to political maneuvering, is stepping into the ring once again – but this time, he’s taking aim at one of Trump’s own choices.
According to The Daily Wire, Pence’s organization, Advancing American Freedom (AAF), is urging senators to reject Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But what’s the problem? Well, it comes down to Kennedy’s views on abortion.
In a letter to senators, AAF made it clear they oppose Kennedy because his stance on abortion doesn’t line up with the pro-life record from Trump’s first administration. They pointed to past comments by RFK Jr., where he suggested that women should have the right to abort, even late in pregnancy, which they called “out of step” with Trump’s policies.
But wait – there’s more. RFK Jr. did meet with some Republican senators, including Josh Hawley, in December. During their chat, Kennedy assured Hawley that his team at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be “pro-life.” He also promised to block federal funds from going to organizations that support abortion and to reinstate bans on Title X funds for abortion services.
Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, who also spoke to Kennedy, shared that the health secretary hopeful made it clear: “I’m serving at the will of the President of the United States, and it’s his policies that I will put forth.” Mullin seemed convinced, adding, “If he’s willing to say that, I have no problems with him becoming Secretary of HHS.”
But Pence’s AAF isn’t backing down. They want Kennedy to clarify his stance, especially after his earlier comments suggesting that abortion should be allowed under certain circumstances. They’re asking him the tough questions: “When do you believe life should be protected?” and, “Are there any situations where the unborn shouldn’t be protected?”
Politico reports that Kennedy is in a tight spot. He can only afford to lose three Republican votes if every Democrat opposes him.
It’s clear that Pence, as Trump’s former VP, isn’t pulling any punches. While some people on the left worry about Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism, others on the right question whether he’s really the pro-life leader they’re looking for.
But here’s the catch: RFK Jr. has made it clear to Mullin that his views on abortion would match Trump’s, and that could go a long way with those on the fence. It’s a delicate balance, though – Kennedy’s future in the role could have a huge impact on how America handles its health crisis, especially when it comes to tackling issues like obesity and chronic illness.
So, as Pence pushes to challenge Trump’s pick, RFK Jr. has some work to do. He’ll need to convince GOP senators and voters that he’s the right person for the job – and that might not be easy with Pence’s AAF breathing down his neck.
