Scott Jennings Warns That Republicans Could Sink RFK Jr.’s Nomination Over Abortion Stance: ‘Those Attacks Are Coming’
CNN commentator and GOP strategist Scott Jennings said the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead Health and Human Services is far from certain thanks to anti-abortion Republicans.
President-elect Donald Trump nominated Kennedy for the job on Thursday. The political scion initially ran for the Democratic presidential nomination this year before launching an independent bid. Kennedy is anti-vaccine and pro-choice. And while Trump and other Republicans have largely ignored Kennedy’s position on abortion, Jennings said that will change when the Senate holds Kennedy’s confirmation hearing.
On Thursday’s OutFront on CNN, host Erin Burnett noted Trump has made several controversial nominations thus far in addition to Kennedy. That includes former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who was recently the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation examining allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. The committee was slated Friday to vote on whether to release its findings. However, with his resignation from the House, the report may not be made public.
“President Trump has put forward Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard and now, RFK Jr.,” Burnett said to Jennings. “If they choose to block any of them, certainly RFK Jr. isn’t gonna be top of the list, or will he be?”
“I wouldn’t put him in the same category of Gaetz,” Jennings replied. “I think Gaetz is pretty far under the line and has a long way to go. RFK, I saw a few positive vibes out of the Senate tonight. I’m not in a position to totally handicap it yet.”
Jennings went on to note that Kennedy has criticized processed foods and Americans’ diets.
“You’re gonna get widespread bipartisan agreement on that,” he continued. “I’m certain the vaccine stuff will be the biggest flashpoint in the hearings.”
He then observed that Kennedy’s pro-choice position is likely to arise during the confirmation hearing.
“One other political issue,” Jennings said in closing. “I think the pro-lifers are a little weird on this right now. If I were the Trump people, I would be coming up with something proactive to head that off because I do think those attacks are coming.”
Watch above via CNN.
