Amid a rush of concern based on various appointments to seats of political power by the Trump Administration, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands out as extremely unqualified and oftentimes flat out wrong. Kennedy is responsible for ensuring the health and well-being of the entire population of the US, and hearing his skewed and harmful viewpoints makes me unsure about the hands that our country is currently in. On April 16 2025, Kennedy held a press conference in which he stated that “autism destroys families” and is an “individual tragedy as well.” These blanket statements about an extremely diverse group of people can misconstrue watchers from the truth. Per ASA, 30-70% of individuals with autism are high functioning, meaning they can sustain themselves in society. All of these members of society are able to work, have a family, and support the country. For Kennedy to dismiss all of these people is extremely prejudiced.

Last week during a conference, Kennedy suggested that he hadn’t seen any data proving that COVID-19 vaccines prevented deaths from the global pandemic. There have been many studies proving that deaths decreased immediately after nationwide distribution of the vaccine began. Kennedy’s extreme right-wing views are endangering the American people and risk misinforming a new and susceptible generation.

Written by: C.K., 17