Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faces growing criticism from conservative Republicans over his ongoing financial ties to trial lawyers who donated millions to Democratic candidates. The controversy centers on Kennedy’s continued earnings from law firms that helped fund President Biden’s campaigns while he serves in the Trump administration.
According to The Hill, Kennedy has earned more than $2.5 million since 2022 from referral fees with the Wisner Baum law firm, including $850,000 last year. He also worked as counsel for Morgan & Morgan, the nation’s largest personal injury firm, from 2016 to 2022. The firm’s founder, John Morgan, previously raised $1.7 million for Biden’s 2020 campaign and has stated he gives money to Democratic leaders whenever asked.
Conservative critics are now questioning Kennedy’s loyalties. “Which side is he on?” one Republican strategist asked, pointing to what they describe as a conflict between Kennedy’s role in Trump’s Cabinet and his financial connections to Democratic megadonors. They warn that Kennedy remains “disturbingly aligned with national trial lawyers, a carnivorous bunch as dogged as any interest group on the left devoted to thwarting Trump’s policies.”
Kennedy’s financial arrangements create potential conflicts
The arrangements have drawn scrutiny because Kennedy maintains financial interests in ongoing litigation against pharmaceutical companies while overseeing federal health agencies that regulate those same firms. His ethics agreement shows he intends to keep collecting fees from cases he referred to Wisner Baum, which specializes in lawsuits against vaccine makers including a current case against Merck over its HPV vaccine Gardasil.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has repeatedly pressed Kennedy to commit to foregoing payments from medical-related lawsuits while serving as HHS secretary. Kennedy has refused, stating he will not agree to stop suing drug companies. Warren warned that Kennedy could use his authority as secretary to influence the outcome of litigation in which he has a financial stake.
Reminder that RFK Jr’s own family members have endorsed President Biden. pic.twitter.com/tiKGVJ9h2u
— Luke Beasley (@lukepbeasley) February 12, 2024
The Morgan & Morgan connection has particularly upset conservatives who note that around 80 percent of trial lawyer political donations go to Democrats. John Morgan served as Bill Clinton’s state finance chairman and has described himself as willing to give money to Nancy Pelosi whenever she asks. Morgan has said “Whatever she wants, I will do. I wish she was president.”
Even some Republicans who initially supported Kennedy are expressing concerns. Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted for Kennedy’s confirmation, has said he is now “deeply concerned” about Kennedy’s actions as health secretary. Representative Chip Roy, a conservative stalwart, has proposed legislation that critics say would “enrich the trial lobby” and expose American businesses to financial ruin.
More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees have called for Kennedy’s resignation, citing actions they say endanger the nation’s health. Kennedy has defended his controversial moves, including firing CDC Director Susan Monarez and replacing the entire vaccine advisory committee, as necessary to restore trust in public health agencies.
