### Richard Besser Criticizes Trump's HHS Nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Former acting CDC director Richard Besser denounced President-elect Donald Trump's choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services, labeling Kennedy's promotion of vaccine-autism theories as "cruel."

Speaking with Martha Raddatz on ABC's "This Week," Besser, also the president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, condemned Kennedy's stance on vaccines. "This was a question that was asked and addressed decades ago, and to continue to lift that up is a cruel thing to do," Besser stated. He emphasized that the real focus should be on understanding and addressing the causes of autism rather than falsely linking it to vaccines.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an established anti-vaccine activist and founder of the Children's Health Defense, temporarily stepped away from his organization in 2023 to pursue his presidential campaign. Despite Kennedy's claims that he would not advocate for the elimination of vaccines, Besser expressed concerns over Kennedy’s push for personal choice regarding vaccination. According to Besser, vaccination falls under a social contract that benefits not only individuals but also their communities.

Besser stressed the peril inherent in Kennedy's mixed messaging, pointing out that his statements, though sometimes based on facts, often include dangerous misinformation. "It’s really hard to sort out what things you should follow because they're based on fact, and which things are not," he noted.

Trump’s announcement of Kennedy's nomination shocked many politicians and healthcare officials. Besser voiced his outrage, highlighting the significant impact that the head of Health and Human Services has on programs affecting every American's life. He warned that placing a prominent vaccine denier in such a crucial role could undermine public confidence in health programs and ultimately result in lost lives.