RFK Jr's first day on the job, addresses the HHS staff [clip]

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave his first speech as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS)
February 18, 2025
RFK Jr. addresses HHS in a call for unity:
“I've come through a highly polarized confirmation process….the fog of narrative warfare has made it hard to get a sense of who I am and what I believe and what I represent.
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Let's establish a mutual intention to work toward what we all care about, the health of the American people.”
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In this address, he emphasized his intention to investigate a wide range of factors contributing to chronic diseases in the United States.
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Here are some key points from his speech:
Investigation into Chronic Diseases: Kennedy announced plans to investigate potential causes of chronic diseases, including aspects that were previously considered "taboo" or insufficiently scrutinized. This includes looking into anti-depressant medications and the childhood vaccine schedule.
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Radical Transparency: He promised to conduct the department's work with "radical transparency," aiming to remove conflicts of interest from committees and research partners. Kennedy also committed to cracking down on perceived industry influence and what he described as the "revolving door" between industry and government.
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Addressing Misconceptions: He addressed the controversies surrounding his nomination, particularly his stance on vaccines, by urging HHS staff to let go of preconceived notions about him and to start from "square one" in their work together. He emphasized that nothing would be off-limits in the pursuit of reducing chronic disease.
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Support from Trump Administration: His appointment was part of a broader promise by President Trump to "Make America Healthy Again," with Kennedy tasked to lead initiatives to tackle chronic diseases, childhood obesity, and what he described as the "overmedication" of children.
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Kennedy's speech was marked by a call to HHS employees to be open-minded to his views on health issues, despite the contentious nature of his past statements regarding vaccines and public health policy.
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His approach signals a significant shift or at least a highly scrutinized period for health policy in the U.S., especially concerning how chronic diseases and public health are managed.