U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Publicly endorsed a recent executive order signed by President Trump invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides, a move that sharply contrasts with his prior legal function challenging the safety of glyphosate and its manufacturer, Bayer-Monsanto.
The executive order, signed Wednesday night, cites national security concerns related to potential shortages of both chemicals. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, a widely used herbicide, and is central to the production of numerous U.S. Crops. Kennedy, in a statement to CNBC on Thursday, framed the order as prioritizing American interests. “Donald Trump’s Executive Order puts America first where it matters most — our defense readiness and our food supply,” he said. “We must safeguard America’s national security first… By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families.”
This endorsement represents a significant departure from Kennedy’s previous stance. As an environmental attorney, he secured a nearly $290 million judgment against Monsanto in a case alleging that Roundup caused a man’s cancer. He has also been involved in other litigation concerning the alleged health risks associated with glyphosate exposure, including claims of a link to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Bayer, Monsanto’s parent company, recently proposed a $7.25 billion settlement to resolve a series of lawsuits alleging Roundup causes cancer.
The shift has drawn criticism from public health advocates. Kayla Hancock, Director of Public Health Watch, a project of Protect Our Care, accused Kennedy of prioritizing political expediency over his previously stated concerns. “RFK Jr. Tossed out his years of anti-pesticide advocacy and conviction like a used tissue to stay in the good graces of Donald Trump, who cares more about making his chemical company donors happy than protecting the public’s health,” Hancock said. “This makes it clear, Secretary Kennedy has no problem selling out his supposed value if there’s a quick buck to be made for special interest donors, or political points to be scored.”
In January 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Was confirmed as U.S. Health secretary despite scrutiny during Senate confirmation hearings regarding his views on vaccines. He pledged to maintain scientific standards, but subsequent actions, including overriding recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and young children, and disbanding the committee itself in favor of a panel with documented anti-vaccine views, have raised concerns about his commitment to evidence-based policy.
The Trump administration’s invocation of the Defense Production Act for phosphorus and glyphosate production follows a pattern of prioritizing domestic manufacturing for national security reasons. The decision comes as global measles cases surge, with more than a 20% increase reported in the past year, raising concerns about the potential impact of policies that undermine public health initiatives.
As of September 8, 2025, Kennedy has not publicly addressed the specific concerns raised regarding his reversal on glyphosate, and the Department of Health and Human Services has not released a detailed explanation of the rationale behind his endorsement of the executive order.
