Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Biography

Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. (born January 17, 1954), commonly referred to as RFK Jr., is a prominent American figure known for his diverse roles as a politician, environmental advocate, author, conspiracy theorist, and vocal opponent of vaccines. As a member of the renowned Kennedy family, he is the son of Robert F. Kennedy, a former U.S. Attorney General, and Ethel Skakel Kennedy, and the nephew of President John F. Kennedy. Since 2025, he has held the position of the 26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Kennedy's professional journey began as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. In the 1980s, he transitioned to environmental advocacy, joining Riverkeeper and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). He became an adjunct professor of environmental law at Pace University School of Law in 1986 and established the school's Environmental Litigation Clinic in 1987. In 1999, he founded the Waterkeeper Alliance, further cementing his commitment to environmental protection.

His political ambitions saw him initially enter the Democratic Party and later pursue an independent campaign for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, ultimately withdrawing and endorsing Republican candidate Donald Trump. However, since 2005, Kennedy has faced significant backlash for promoting vaccine misinformation and various health-related conspiracy theories. He has been a key figure in the anti-vaccine movement, founding Children's Health Defense and publishing works such as *The Riverkeepers* (1997), *Crimes Against Nature* (2004), *The Real Anthony Fauci* (2021), and *A Letter to Liberals* (2022).