Group Founded By Mike Pence Comes Out Against RFK Jr.’s Nomination

A group spearheaded by former Vice President Mike Pence has launched a campaign urging Republican senators to oppose the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump’s pick for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Pence, who served as Trump’s vice president during his first term, objects to RFK Jr. due to his previous stance on abortion rights.
“Whatever the merits of RFK Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative—indeed, whatever other qualities a nominee might possess—an HHS Secretary must have a firm commitment to protect unborn children, or else bend under the pressure and pushback surrounding these daily, critical decisions,” stated Advancing American Freedom President Tim Chapman and Board Chairman Marc Short, Pence’s former chief of staff, in a letter directed at senators.
“While RFK Jr. has made certain overtures to pro-life leaders that he would be mindful of their concerns at HHS, there is little reason for confidence at this time,” they added.
This effort marks Pence’s second attempt to block Kennedy’s confirmation. Shortly after Trump announced Kennedy as his nominee, Pence issued a statement urging senators to reject him, citing his history of supporting abortion rights, according to The Hill.
Kennedy, who initially launched his 2024 presidential campaign as a Democrat, has drawn criticism for his shifting views on abortion. While he once supported a ban on abortion after the first trimester, he later retracted that position. Additionally, he expressed opposition to restrictions on abortion before fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks.
On his campaign website, Kennedy affirmed that he is “a firm supporter of the principles laid out 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade” and stated that “if the courts do not overturn Dobbs v. Jackson and restore abortion rights, he will support legislation to accomplish the same.”
Despite these past statements, many GOP senators remain supportive of Kennedy after private meetings with him. Kennedy has reassured Republican lawmakers that his personal beliefs will not interfere with his role and that he is committed to implementing anti-abortion policies from Trump’s first administration.
Meanwhile, Trump has consistently maintained that abortion should be addressed at the state level, aligning with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision. During his campaign, Trump positioned himself as a moderate on the issue.
Pence, known for his deeply religious and conservative views, has become an outspoken critic of Trump’s policies, particularly on abortion. Pence previously described Trump’s approach as a “slap in the face” to anti-abortion advocates.
Despite their policy disagreements, Pence recently described an interaction with Trump at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral as a positive moment. The two exchanged a handshake and brief conversation, which marked their first meeting since January 6, 2021, when Pence certified Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory against Trump’s wishes, as reported by The Washington Times.
“I’ve really been blessed at how much I’ve heard from people around the country who saw [our] handshake and, in that handshake, saw some hope that we might be moving past those difficult days,” Pence told Russell Moore, Editor-in-Chief of Christianity Today, during a podcast interview set to air Wednesday.
However, not everyone at the funeral took the opportunity to mend fences. Karen Pence, Mike Pence’s wife, notably chose not to acknowledge Donald or Melania Trump.