In a recent decision, the Supreme Court made a clear move, rejecting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his group, Children’s Health Defense, in their attempt to halt investigations into Washington state doctors accused of spreading Covid-19 misinformation.
This wasn’t the first time Kennedy’s legal team made a plea on this matter. Back in November, Justice Elena Kagan had already turned down their request. Afterward, Kennedy’s group, along with the doctors involved, asked Justice Clarence Thomas to revisit the case. He passed it on to the full Court, but the outcome remained unchanged. On Monday, the Court dismissed their application, and the decision was included in the routine order list announcing actions on pending cases. No justice voiced disagreement with the denial, signaling that the Court was firm in its stance.
While the ruling might not come as a surprise, it highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Kennedy’s views on public health. His views are now under the spotlight, especially with Donald Trump considering him for the role of Health Secretary as he prepares for a second presidential term. However, Kennedy’s nomination has raised eyebrows in the Senate, with both parties expressing concerns, and a confirmation hearing has yet to be scheduled.
The legal battle stemmed from the accusation that two doctors, along with Kennedy’s group, had engaged in unprofessional conduct by spreading misleading information about Covid-19 in public forums. They challenged the Washington State Medical Commission, claiming their free speech rights were violated. In their request to the Supreme Court, Kennedy and his group argued that public speech should not lose its constitutional protection just because it’s spoken by healthcare professionals, even if it goes against mainstream medical advice.
This case is just the latest in a series of legal hurdles for Kennedy. Last year, the Court rejected his attempt to be included on certain state ballots after he ended his independent presidential campaign and announced his support for Trump. Should Kennedy move forward as Trump’s Health Secretary, it’s possible we could see more legal battles involving his name in an official government role.
