Caroline Kennedy sharply criticized her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in a pointed open letter to the U.S. Senate, describing him as a “predator” and imploring lawmakers to reject his potential appointment as Secretary of Well being and Human Companies.
The scathing remarks, delivered publicly, mark a uncommon second of non-public household issues colliding with nationwide political discourse.
The 67-year-old diplomat and daughter of former President John F. Kennedy made her place identified throughout a public studying of the letter addressed to members of the Senate Well being, Training, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Her phrases left no room for ambiguity when it got here to her opinion of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s suitability for the high-profile position.
“He lacks any related authorities, monetary, administration, or medical expertise. His views on vaccines are harmful and willfully misinformed,” Caroline said, studying straight from the letter.
Her remarks laid naked her issues about her controversial cousin, who has drawn widespread consideration for his vocal opposition to vaccines.
The 71-year-old environmental lawyer and vaccine critic has sparked heated debates for years along with his unorthodox medical views, typically pushing unsubstantiated claims about vaccine security.
His nomination to move the nation’s well being company ignited a firestorm, with critics arguing it will undermine public belief in science-based well being initiatives.
If confirmed, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would seemingly try and overhaul the U.S. vaccination schedule, a transfer that public well being advocates nearly universally oppose.
Caroline’s criticism, nevertheless, prolonged far past skilled {qualifications}. Her emotional plea delved into what she described as deeper, troubling private traits.
“It’s no shock that he retains birds of prey as pets as a result of Bobby himself is a predator,” she mentioned. “He’s all the time been charismatic, capable of entice others by means of the power of his character, his willingness to take dangers and break the foundations…he loved exhibiting off how he put child chickens and mice in a blender to feed to his hawks. It was typically a perverse scene of despair and violence,” she mentioned.
Acknowledging the problem of publicly condemning her personal member of the family, Caroline expressed a way of ethical urgency, explaining why she felt compelled to talk out.
“I by no means needed to talk publicly about my members of the family and their challenges,” she admitted. “However the public deserves higher than Bobby Kennedy, and so do the remainder of us. I urge the Senate to reject his nomination.”
The complete Senate has but to vote on the nomination, however Caroline Kennedy’s decisive remarks are sure to resonate each in Washington and throughout the storied Kennedy household, whose legacy has lengthy been intertwined with American politics.
Robert F. Kennedy unsuccessfully ran for president, the place he garnered help from rappers like Beanie Sigel, Boosie, Turk, Jazze Pha, Drumma Boy and others.
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