How Trump's health agency picks could help carry out RFK Jr.'s overhaul

The team that Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration includes a retired congressman, a surgeon, and a former talk-show host.

All could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health—from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. In line to lead the Department of Health and Human Services secretary is environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Trump's choices don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors.

Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: Dave Weldon, the pick for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida, tapped by Trump as national security adviser.