President Donald Trump hosted an Oval Office swearing-in ceremony for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, commending his pick after what he called a “very nasty” confirmation battle.
“There are very few people that could have withstood the assault, but he was able to. So, I just want to congratulate you,” Trump said in brief remarks.
Trump heralded his “merger” with Kennedy’s 2024 campaign and the backing of RFK Jr.’s supporters, whom he said are “very loyal.”
“They believe in him so strongly because he’s a fierce advocate for the health of our children and for the values of free speech, democracy and peace,” he said.
Trump announced he would also be signing an executive order “establishing the President’s Commission to Make American Healthy Again” that would be chaired by Kennedy.
In the room: Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch administered Kennedy’s oath of office. Gorsuch, a conservative who was Trump’s first nominee to the country’s highest court, later told CNN in a statement that it was an “honor” to perform the ceremony, and that he did so at RFK Jr.’s request.
“Since becoming a judge in 2006, many federal and state officials have asked me to swear them in and it is always an honor to be able to do so,” Gorsuch said.
Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, held the Bible, with other Kennedy family members in attendance.
Pressed by CNN’s Jeff Zeleny on his plans for the office, Kennedy vowed “radical transparency” and “getting rid of people” within the federal health agencies who have “conflicts of interest.”
Some context: Kennedy’s nomination was particularly controversial due to his long history of falsehoods about vaccines and other public health issues.
Kennedy, who said Thursday that “God sent me President Trump” to help him end a childhood chronic disease epidemic, has undergone a remarkable political evolution, from Democratic political candidate and fierce Trump critic to a member of the president’s Cabinet.
During his swearing-in, Kennedy reflected on his first time in the Oval Office in 1962, meeting with his uncle, former President John F. Kennedy, about the environment.
This post has been updated with more comments from Gorsuch.
CNN’s John Fritze contributed reporting to this post.