President-elect Donald Trump is sticking to his campaign-trail pledge that Robert Kennedy Jr. won’t be allowed anywhere near oil and gas policy.
Trump on Thursday announced that Kennedy, a longtime environmental lawyer and former Democrat, is his nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
The news stunned some of Kennedy’s critics who are skeptical of his anti-vaccine activism, but marks a win for Trump’s fans in the energy world and conservatives who bristle at the longtime environmentalist’s oil and gas track record.
Although a role leading the health agency would keep Kennedy far from setting oil and gas policy, he could still play a big role in Trump’s environmental agenda, including on climate programs inside HHS and recommendations for Superfund cleanups and fluoride. Interest groups ranging from oil and gas representatives to public health advocates and the agriculture industry will be closely monitoring Kennedy’s moves if he’s confirmed for Trump’s Cabinet.
