The Washington Post has obtained a letter in which Caroline Kennedy, former U.S. ambassador to Australia, warns senators about her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She describes him as a “predator” whose harmful actions have affected everyone from family members to the parents of sick children.
In the letter, sent to lawmakers ahead of Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearings for Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump, Caroline Kennedy accuses her cousin of being “addicted to attention and power” and of hypocrisy when it comes to his stance on vaccines. She points out that while he has campaigned against vaccinating children, he vaccinated his own kids. She claims his anti-vaccine crusade has also been a way for him to profit.
“I’ve known Bobby my whole life; we grew up together,” Caroline Kennedy wrote. “It’s no surprise that he keeps birds of prey as pets because he himself is a predator.”
Caroline Kennedy goes further, accusing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of leading family members down a path of drug addiction. She describes his basement, garage, and dorm room as centers of drug use, and paints a disturbing picture of him showing off his hawks feeding on baby chickens and mice. While she acknowledges that he eventually overcame his own struggles with addiction, she mourns the family members who didn’t make it, blaming Bobby for encouraging them toward substance abuse, which led to illness and death.
Though Caroline Kennedy has generally avoided commenting on her cousin’s political views, she felt compelled to speak out now. “I have never wanted to speak publicly about my family members and their challenges,” she wrote. However, in November, during an event in Australia, she openly criticized his views on vaccines, calling them “dangerous” and claiming they did not reflect the opinions of most Americans or the Kennedy family.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for HHS is facing intense scrutiny. Several Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell and Bill Cassidy, have voiced concerns about his past statements on vaccines and abortion. Some GOP members, including McConnell, have avoided meeting with Kennedy Jr., leaving his confirmation up in the air. He can afford to lose only three Republican votes if all Democrats vote against him.
Kennedy Jr. has spent weeks meeting with senators to try to win their support, though it’s unclear whether his efforts have made a difference or worsened his standing. Some Democrats have said they’re open to supporting him, though many are wary of his views on vaccines. Sen. John Fetterman, for example, has expressed willingness to consider Trump’s nominees but has voiced concerns about Kennedy’s views on public health.
Caroline Kennedy’s letter may not change the minds of Republicans, but it could strengthen Democratic opposition to her cousin’s nomination. Some senators, like Patty Murray, have already expressed serious reservations after meeting with Kennedy Jr.
