Nikki Haley, the former Ambassador to the United Nations and a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate, recently criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard to high-profile positions in his administration. Both Kennedy and Gabbard have faced pushback regarding their backgrounds and qualifications for the roles they have been selected for.
Haley specifically targeted Kennedy’s selection to lead the Health and Human Services Department, highlighting his lack of expertise in healthcare and his previous affiliation with the Democratic Party. She questioned Kennedy’s qualifications for the position, stating, “Who is RFK Jr? He’s not a health guy, he has raised questions about what’s in our food, and I am right there with him,” Haley said on SiriusXM’s “Nikki Haley Live.” She further emphasized that Kennedy is not educated, trained, or practiced in healthcare at all, labeling him as a “liberal Democrat.”
Kennedy has a history of criticizing vaccines, although he has recently claimed that he is not anti-vaccine. However, public health experts have raised concerns about his misleading statements questioning vaccine safety and the potential impact on vaccination rates against deadly diseases. Haley’s criticism of Kennedy’s appointment reflects broader concerns about his ability to lead the Health and Human Services Department effectively.
In addition to Kennedy, Haley also criticized Gabbard, a former congresswoman from Hawaii, who was nominated by Trump to be the director of national intelligence. Haley condemned Gabbard’s past statements on human rights violations in Syria, labeling them as “disgusting” and echoing Russian propaganda. She pointed to Gabbard’s visit to Syria in 2017 and her interactions with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as evidence of her biased policy views.
Gabbard defended her actions in Syria as a “fact-finding mission” and later acknowledged Assad as a “brutal dictator.” She also expressed opposition to U.S. involvement in Syria’s civil war and questioned Assad’s status as an enemy of the United States. Gabbard’s lack of experience in intelligence and her stance on foreign policy issues have raised concerns about her suitability for the role of director of national intelligence.
The Senate is expected to provide advice and consent during the confirmation process for Kennedy and Gabbard once Trump formalizes their nominations. However, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was supposed to be nominated as attorney general, withdrew his name from consideration amid allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use.
Overall, Haley’s criticism of Kennedy and Gabbard reflects broader concerns about the qualifications and policy positions of individuals selected for key positions in the incoming administration. The controversy surrounding these appointments underscores the importance of thorough vetting and scrutiny of candidates for high-profile roles in government.
As the Trump administration transitions power to the incoming administration, the selection of individuals like Kennedy and Gabbard will continue to be a topic of debate and discussion among policymakers, experts, and the public. The impact of these appointments on public health, national security, and other critical issues remains to be seen as the confirmation process moves forward.
