Mike Pence Opposes Trump Nominating RFK Jr. As HHS Secretary

Former Vice President Mike Pence has announced that he opposes President Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Pence, in a statement, shared, “For the majority of his career, RFK Jr. has defended abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, supports overturning the Dobbs decision, and has called for legislation to codify Roe v Wade.”

He continued, “If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history.”

“I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration,” added Pence.

Former Vice President @Mike_Pence comes out in opposition to Trump’s RFK Jr nomination—“if confirmed, RFK Jr would be the most pro-abortion Republican-appointed secretary of HHS in modern history.” pic.twitter.com/elt7Fr647j

— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) November 15, 2024

Inbox:

Former Vice President @Mike_Pence opposes @RobertKennedyJr's nomination to be Health and Human Services Secretary.

"I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration…" pic.twitter.com/jvx7O2YnTJ

— Taylor Popielarz (@TaylorPopielarz) November 15, 2024

Per The National Review:

Former vice president Mike Pence announced his opposition to President-elect Donald Trump’s recent nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to be the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday, a nomination he said would represent a departure from Republicans’ pro-life platform.

ADVERTISEMENT

“For the majority of his career, RFK Jr. has defended abortion on demand during all nine months of pregnancy, supports overturning the Dobbs decision and has called for legislation to codify Roe v Wade. If confirmed, RFK, Jr. would be the most pro-abortion Republican appointed secretary of HHS in modern history,” Pence said. “The pro-life movement has always looked to the Republican party to stand for life, to affirm an unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed.”

Pence, a fierce pro-lifer, also highlighted the multiple pro-life policies enacted under Trump’s first administration, including protecting health-care providers from violating their consciences by being forced to perform abortions, and multiple HHS directives and funding reallocations that supported the right to life.

“The Trump-Pence administration was unapologetically pro-life for our four years in office. There are hundreds of decisions made at HHS every day that either lead our nation toward a respect for life or away from it, and HHS under our administration always stood for life,” Pence said. “I believe the nomination of RFK Jr. to serve as Secretary of HHS is an abrupt departure from the pro-life record of our administration and should be deeply concerning to millions of Pro-Life Americans who have supported the Republican Party and our nominees for decades.”

🚨JUST IN: Former Vice President Mike Pence is reportedly urging the Senate to OPPOSE Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS Secretary, saying RFK is far too radical on abortion to be considered for the role.

YOUR THOUGHTS? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/voCO9NDb8u

— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) November 15, 2024

Per The Washinton Times:

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Friday called on Republicans to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to be health secretary, saying the pick is an “abrupt departure” from the pro-life values the GOP has traditionally defended.

President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday announced his choice of Mr. Kennedy to head the Health and Human Services Department, rewarding the maverick politician for his support during the campaign.

Mr. Pence, who served with Mr. Trump in his first administration but has since split with his boss, said Mr. Kennedy is “pro-abortion,” adding that’s a problem for the head of a department that helps steer federal policy on abortion.