Supporters and opponents of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. packed the halls of the Senate building where the Finance Committee is vetting him this morning to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
In the long line of people vying to get into the room was Brandon Matlock, a Pennsylvania resident who previously volunteered for Kennedy’s presidential campaign. Kennedy, who first ran as a Democrat then as an independent, dropped out in August and endorsed Donald Trump.
Wearing a “Jail Fauci” shirt, Matlock said he was unconcerned that Kennedy could face questions about his past anti-vaccine rhetoric.
“He’s been defending his views for so long. You’re not going to ruffle his feathers,” he said. Kennedy supporters wore “Confirm RFK Jr.” shirts and hats, and others bearing Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” slogan.
In the crowd was wellness entrepreneur and influencer Casey Means, whose brother Calley is a close ally of Kennedy’s.
Calley Means promised in a post to X that Kennedy advocaters would come out in force to support him at the hearing. A similar display of support helped Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, overcome concerns among Republican senators.
Actress Cheryl Hines, who is married to Kennedy, also was in the hearing room.
When Kennedy entered, applause erupted and supporters chanted “Bobby” and “make America healthy again.”
A smaller contingent of Kennedy opponents, including some wearing white coats from Doctors for America, a group that grew out of an advocacy campaign started by supporters of former President Barack Obama, wore “reject RFK” stickers.
Outside a subway station close to the Capitol, a small group of protesters handed out “MAKE POLIO GREAT AGAIN” shirts.
“We think he’s grossly unqualified, no background in health care, and America’s leading vaccine skeptic,” Dr. Manan Trivedi, chief medical officer at the health care consulting firm Clinovations and a Kennedy opponent inside the hearing room, told POLITICO. “I don’t think RFK Jr. is qualified to run the check out counter at CVS, let alone HHS.”
