Trump, a Republican, selected Kennedy in November, shortly after he won the 2024 presidential election, saying Kennedy would “end the Chronic Disease epidemic” and “Make America Great and Healthy Again!” As one of the most prominent anti-vaccine activists in the world, Kennedy’s nomination immediately alarmed some public health officials.

Kennedy Jr. insisted Wednesday that—despite his own reservations with the items—he will not seek to ban or limit American’s access to things like McDonald’s or Diet Coke if he becomes health secretary.