Donald Trump has nominated Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal vaccine skeptic and former Democrat, to lead the United States of America’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), a move that has raised eyebrows amid concerns over his stance on public health and vaccines.

Kennedy, who has long criticized the pharmaceutical industry and sowed doubts about the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines, will now be tasked with overseeing a department with a budget of $1.8 trillion and jurisdiction over critical agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a statement on November 14, Trump expressed enthusiasm for the pick, saying, “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 also suggested that Kennedy’s leadership would restore HHS agencies to “Gold Standard Scientific Research” and make them “beacons of Transparency” in tackling chronic disease.

Kennedy’s appointment marks the latest in a series of controversial selections by Trump for key Cabinet positions. In recent days, the president-elect has nominated staunch allies, including Matt Gaetz for Attorney General and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.

These picks have raised questions about their ability to secure Senate approval, with some lawmakers expressing concerns over their qualifications and the potential ideological shifts they could bring to key government agencies.

Trump had hinted at giving Kennedy a prominent role in his administration during the final weeks of his campaign, stating that he would “let [Kennedy] go wild on health, go wild on the food… go wild on medicines,” although the specifics of his potential duties were unclear at that time.

Drugmakers and public health experts have expressed unease at the prospect of Kennedy having significant influence over U.S. health policy, given his longstanding criticism of the pharmaceutical industry and vaccine mandates.

If confirmed, Kennedy’s leadership of HHS would represent a significant departure from previous administrations, particularly in the handling of public health and pharmaceutical regulation.

However, the nomination is expected to face scrutiny in the Senate, where some may challenge Kennedy’s controversial views on vaccines and his past statements, which many health professionals consider to be misleading or dangerous.