Democratic Governor Defends Praising RFK Jr.’s Health Agenda: ‘Hope’ He Can Separate Policy From ‘Incorrect’ Beliefs

Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) sat down this week with 9News, NBC’s Denver affiliate, to discuss his recent praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joining President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet to run the Department of Health and Human Services.

Last week Polis posted to X that he was “excited” about Kennedy going to Washington to try and make good on some of his promises regarding healthier food. “He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA,” Polis wrote, adding:

I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than bans (which I think are terrible, just like mandates) but what I’m most optimistic about is taking on big pharma and the corporate ag oligopoly to improve our health.

The comments raised eyebrows on the left and led to Polis’s office making clear that he does not agree with Kennedy’s spreading of conspiracy theories or vaccine skepticism.

9News reporter Marc Sallinger sat down with Polis about the criticism. “RFK is not a pharmaceutical lobbyist. As you indicated, he has a lot of false things that he has said and does say. Can he separate those incorrect personal beliefs from the work he does on chronic disease, nutrition, and taking on big pharma?” Polis told Sallinger.

“For the sake of our country, I hope so,” added the popular Democrat.

“Do you think he’ll be able to?” Sallinger pressed.

“That’s a valid question,” Polis replied.

“Would you use this agency or your position to further your personal beliefs, or will you use it for what you said you would use it for?” Polis added later. “He said he would continue to allow vaccines of course but wants to use it to improve health, improve diet and nutrition, and take on big pharma.”

Sallinger explained in the segment that Polis is hoping RFK Jr. will support some of his local initiatives. “The governor said Tuesday that Colorado has an application with the FDA to import prescription drugs from Canada. It’s been sitting at the FDA for a year now and hasn’t been approved. He’s hopeful with RFK leading the agency, they’ll approve the application and allow the state to save money on prescription drugs,” explained the reporter.

Watch the full clip above.