RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing: A battle for health freedom and the soul of American politics
By willowt // 2025-01-31
Copy
 
  • Democrats' treatment of RFK Jr. during his confirmation hearing was seen as an attempt to silence dissent, with no room for questions or open discussion.
  • The Democrats' newfound embrace of Big Pharma was highlighted, with RFK Jr.'s skepticism toward certain vaccines and drug safety testing met with scorn.
  • The hearing revealed the Democrats' inability to engage with Kennedy's concerns in good faith, resorting to ad hominem attacks and gotcha questions instead.
  • The confirmation hearing served as a microcosm of the cultural and ideological divide in America, with Democrats' actions viewed as emblematic of a broader trend toward abandoning principle in favor of political expediency.
  • RFK Jr.'s nomination represents a symbol of resistance against the forces of conformity and control, with the hearing highlighting the ongoing battle for the soul of American politics.
The confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was not just a political spectacle—it was a microcosm of the cultural and ideological divide gripping America. Democrats, armed with a litany of grievances and accusations, sought to dismantle Kennedy’s credibility, but in doing so, they revealed far more about their own shortcomings than his. This hearing was a stark reminder of why health freedom and independent thinking are under siege in modern America. Sasha Stone shared these takeaways from Kennedy's confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

No questions allowed

The Democrats’ treatment of RFK Jr. during the hearing was a masterclass in silencing dissent. As Sasha Stone aptly noted, “Just asking a question is itself a crime.” Kennedy, a lifelong environmental lawyer and advocate for public health, has spent decades questioning the safety of chemicals in our environment and the efficacy of certain medical interventions. Yet, instead of engaging with his concerns, Democrats labeled him a purveyor of “disinformation” and lumped him into the so-called “Disinformation Dozen.” This tactic is not new. History is replete with examples of those who dared to challenge the status quo being ostracized or worse. Galileo, who famously faced persecution for asserting that the Earth revolved around the Sun, would undoubtedly recognize the parallels. As the Indigo Girls sang, “Galileo’s head was on the block. His crime was looking up the truth.” Today, Kennedy’s “crime” is asking questions about vaccines, environmental toxins and public health policies. The Democrats’ refusal to entertain these questions is not just an affront to Kennedy—it’s an affront to the American people. As Megyn Kelly observed in her recent interview with Frontline, “They should spend a few minutes listening to voices outside of their bubble. They should try, at the very least, to understand where Americans are coming from.”

Big Pharma isn’t “bad” anymore

One of the most striking revelations from the hearing was the Democrats’ newfound embrace of Big Pharma. Once a favorite target of progressive ire, the pharmaceutical industry has seemingly been absolved of all sins—at least when it aligns with their political agenda. Kennedy’s skepticism of certain vaccines and his calls for greater transparency in drug safety testing were met with scorn, as if questioning the pharmaceutical industry is tantamount to heresy. Kennedy himself addressed this hypocrisy during the hearing, stating, “I worked for years to raise awareness about the mercury and toxic chemicals in fish, and nobody called me anti-fish. And I believe that vaccines play a critical role in health care. All of my kids are vaccinated.” His nuanced position—acknowledging the benefits of vaccines while advocating for safer formulations—was dismissed outright by Democrats like Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who accused Kennedy of lying to Congress. This shift in the Democratic Party’s stance on Big Pharma is emblematic of a broader trend: the abandonment of principle in favor of political expediency. As Stone noted, “They demand we follow the unreliable narrators. They want all those seeking answers outside the mainstream to trust THEM when they lied to the public for so long about so many things. That trust is unearned.”

The Democrats haven’t learned a thing

Perhaps the most damning indictment of the Democrats’ performance during the hearing was their inability to engage with Kennedy in good faith. Instead of addressing the substantive issues he raised—such as the impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on children’s health or the potential links between antidepressants and school shootings—they resorted to ad hominem attacks and gotcha questions. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) grilled Kennedy on his comments about pesticides and gender identity, to which Kennedy responded, “I never said that.” Similarly, Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) pressed him on his remarks about antidepressants, ignoring his broader point about the need for further research into the causes of school shootings. This combative approach is not just counterproductive—it’s alienating. As Stone observed, “Their hostile attitude toward him was exactly the wrong play. They had this rare opportunity to bring back maybe some of the voters they lost to RFK, Jr. And yet, everything they said and did only proved that all of us who have abandoned the party made the right choice.”

A doomsday cult of conformity

The Democrats’ handling of RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearing was a stark reminder of why so many Americans feel disillusioned with the party. Their refusal to engage with dissenting voices, their blind allegiance to Big Pharma, and their relentless attacks on anyone who dares to think independently have turned them into what Stone aptly describes as a “Doomsday Cult.” Kennedy, for all his controversial views, represents something the Democrats have lost: a willingness to ask hard questions and challenge the status quo. His confirmation would be a victory not just for health freedom, but for the principles of open inquiry and independent thinking that are the bedrock of American democracy. As the Senate deliberates on Kennedy’s nomination, one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of American politics is far from over. And in that battle, RFK Jr. is not just a nominee—he’s a symbol of resistance against the forces of conformity and control. Let us hope that, this time, truth prevails. Sources include: Substack.com TheHill.com
Copy