Marjorie Taylor Greene isn’t mincing words, and her message to Senate Republicans is crystal clear: confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, or prepare to face the wrath of President Trump, Elon Musk’s PAC, and the American people. Speaking to CNN, Greene warned that the GOP-controlled Senate has a mandate following Trump’s landslide victory on November 5, adding, “This is a mandate.”
President Trump’s decision to nominate Kennedy to head HHS sent shockwaves through Washington. Trump announced the nomination on X, saying Kennedy would “restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!”
But not everyone is on board. Kennedy, known for his controversial vaccine statements, has been a lightning rod for criticism from Democrats and even some within the GOP establishment. During a recent interview with Lex Fridman, Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism was on full display when he suggested the polio vaccine had caused more harm than good. While critics rushed to label him “anti-vaccine,” Kennedy has repeatedly clarified that he doesn’t want to remove vaccines from the market. “I’ve never been anti-vaccine,” he told MSNBC, emphasizing his commitment to giving people the choice.
Of course, the left is already pulling out their tired playbook of accusations. Kennedy faced backlash in 2023 after comments about COVID-19’s alleged ethnic targeting. His remarks were seized upon by media outlets eager to brand him an anti-Semite, despite Kennedy’s clear repudiation of those claims. A spokesperson for Kennedy later clarified, saying his comments were taken out of context and twisted into a “malicious and inflammatory smear.”
Meanwhile, Trump also nominated Matt Gaetz as attorney general, calling him a “deeply gifted and tenacious attorney.” Naturally, Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, the GOP’s favorite Democrat-lite, was quick to dismiss the pick, saying it wasn’t “serious.” Murkowski and her ilk should take note: the voters just handed Trump and the GOP a sweeping mandate to deliver results, not more swamp games.
The Senate’s 53-47 GOP majority gives Republicans the power to push these nominations through, but it will take unity. Greene made it clear: there’s no room for weak knees or RINOs in Trump’s America. It’s time for Republicans to stand firm, confirm these bold nominations, and fulfill the promise of putting America First. If not, they’ll face the political consequences, courtesy of Trump and the energized MAGA base.
