Author: maxscharp2

Two years ago, RFK Jr. made a promise to the American people that he would fix the nation’s chronic disease crisis, and “Make America Healthy Again.” Under his leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services has drastically changed directions, targeting food standards, assistance programs, and vaccination policies. However, much is still left to be asked, and much is to be questioned.

On August 23, 2024, Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent presidential campaign and endorsed then-candidate Donald Trump, pledging: “If I’m given the chance to fix the chronic disease crisis and reform our food production, I promise that within two years we will watch chronic disease burden lift dramatically. We will make Americans healthy again.”¹ 

Since his appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services on February 13, 2025, Secretary Kennedy has sought to translate this promise into policy under the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) moniker. As the deadline for his end-of-campaign promise closes in, an evaluation of the Department under his leadership reveals the progress made toward reforming American public health and transparency, and whether MAHA policies are likely to produce measurable improvements in the nation’s wellbeing.

An immediate priority of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Secretary Kennedy was a review of the American diet, with an emphasis on reducing exposure to highly processed foods, added sugars, and artificial food dyes.² In January 2026, the HHS and Department of Agriculture released the ‘Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030,’ detailing nutrition standards for schools, food programs, and future policy. The guide encourages Americans to “eat real food,” particularly whole, organic produce, and to consider calories, sodium, and added sugars.³ In a press conference, Secretary Kennedy remarked: “We spend three times more per capita than the European Union on healthcare, yet our life expectancy is five years lower, largely due to diet-related chronic disease.”⁴ While rhetoric and information promoting dietary conscientiousness represents a step in the right direction, the guidelines released by the HHS and USDA are not directly enforceable against food manufacturers nor consumers–their impact instead depends on the efficacy of other federal agencies in their implementation. A further consideration is food access: while the HHS may encourage the consumption of healthy dietary staples, its consideration of the ongoing increase in grocery prices and the consumer price index has been limited, if not inflammatory. Secretary Kennedy has been a vocal proponent of removing “junk food” from SNAP and other benefits programs–a policy implemented via waivers in 23 states, including Indiana.⁵ Critics of current HHS and USDA leadership argue that these restrictions place additional burdens on low-income Americans, due to the relatively higher cost of certain whole food products.

Another tenet of the MAHA-era HHS policy is combatting the use of petroleum-based artificial food dyes, in response to research suggesting that their consumption may lead to exacerbated behavioral problems and hyperactivity, particularly in children.⁶ The HHS has initiated a campaign to phase-out artificial dyes via expanding previous policies that scrutinize labelling and authorizations, as well as by coordinating with the nation’s top manufacturers in voluntary programs, the progress of which can be reviewed publicly.⁷ Action against potentially harmful dyes, and increased research and approval of natural dyes represents one of the Department’s major wins over the past twenty months, but the lack of decisive regulations and the slow transition from participating manufacturers demonstrate the limits of this success. Thus far, commitments have been made on the basis of government pressure of future legislation and the ability of firms to reap reputational benefits, but until solid policy is passed, these efforts lack formal enforcement.

The third, and undoubtedly most divisive stance that Secretary Kennedy has taken regards vaccination: a subject he brought up numerous times in his campaign suspension speech, and has since made a central focus. In June 2025, the Secretary cleared house within the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, intending on replacing all of its sitting members with new appointees, marking a major change in American vaccination policy.⁸ In January 2026, an attempt was made to revise the federal immunization schedule for children, reducing the number of covered diseases. The overhaul has since been blocked in the courts by Democratic judicial appointees, such as District Judge Brian Murphy, and efforts have also been obstructed by numerous state lawsuits.⁹ It is the view of MAHA’s current direction that parents ought to be more involved in discussions with pediatricians regarding children’s vaccination–a position held on the basis of improving transparency and addressing distrust in profit-seeking pharmaceutical companies and government regulators.¹⁰ Public reception is divided on this issue. Critics opposing Secretary Kennedy’s perspective call into question prior comments in which the Secretary linked autism and hypertension to vaccination, while those in favor approve of this skeptical approach and plans to further research the side effects of vaccines.¹¹

As the deadline for these promises draws closer, it is clear that there is much left to be asked of Health Secretary Kennedy and his Department in addressing the chronic illness and broader health crisis that befalls the United States. While the Department has shown signs of direction and strong rhetoric, enforceable action has been limited and statistical improvement scarce. Today’s Verdict: No, America is not yet healthy.

1.  Rev. “RFK Jr. Suspends 2024 Presidential Campaign.” August 26, 2024. https://www.rev.com/transcripts/rfk-jr-suspends-2024-presidential-campaign. ↩︎
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “HHS, FDA, and USDA Address Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/hhs-fda-and-usda-address-health-risks-ultra-processed-foods. ↩︎
3.  U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. January 2026. https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf. ↩︎
4.  CBS News. “RFK Jr. Announces New Dietary Guidelines and End to ‘War on Saturated Fats.’” YouTube video, January 7, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OqPdybG7eo. ↩︎
5.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Secretary Kennedy Celebrates More States Removing Junk Food from SNAP at MAHA Monday on the National Mall.” August 4, 2025. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/maha-monday-snap-waivers.html. ↩︎
6.  Miller, Mark D., Chris Steinmaus, Myra S. Golub, et al. “Potential Impacts of Synthetic Food Dyes on Activity and Attention in Children: A Review of the Human and Animal Evidence.” Environmental Health 21 (2022): 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9. ↩︎
7.  U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum-Based Food Dyes.” Accessed October 13, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/food/color-additives-information-consumers/tracking-food-industry-pledges-remove-petroleum-based-food-dyes. ↩︎
8.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines with New ACIP Members.” https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-restore-public-trust-vaccines-acip.html. ↩︎
9.  Raymond, Nate, Ahmed Aboulenein, and Leah Douglas. “US Judge Upends Kennedy’s Overhaul of Childhood Vaccine Policies.” Reuters, March 16, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/us-judge-blocks-efforts-reshape-childhood-vaccine-policy-2026-03-16/. ↩︎
10.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “HHS to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines with New ACIP Members.” June 9, 2025. https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-restore-public-trust-vaccines-acip.html. ↩︎
11.  Sanders, Bernie. “Sanders Statement on Voting No on RFK Jr.” Office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-statement-on-voting-no-on-rfk-jr/. ↩︎

Through policies and military operations across Venezuela, Cuba, Greenland, and the broader Americas, the second Trump administration has explicitly revived the Monroe Doctrine as a guiding principle of American foreign policy.

In December 1823, President James Monroe addressed Congress with a message outlining the future of American foreign policy and military grand strategy, a declaration that became known as the Monroe Doctrine. Under the Doctrine, the United States asserted that the Western Hemisphere was naturally within its sphere of influence, distinct from European powers.¹ Although the Doctrine originally emerged as a reaction to the War of 1812, its principles have reemerged two centuries later under President Donald Trump’s second administration. The United States has once again staked its claim over the Western Hemisphere, seeking military access, strategic infrastructure, and denying rivals the ability to jeopardize American hegemony, and it is doing so with decisive military force.

On January 23, 2026, the Department of War released its annual National Defense Strategy, which outlines the United States military’s top priorities. Most notably, in the first ‘Line of Effort’ subsection, this year’s report, in contrast with the 2025 counterpart, explicitly mentions Greenland and the Panama Canal as strategically significant: “We will actively and fearlessly defend America’s interests throughout the Western Hemisphere. We will guarantee U.S. military and commercial access to key terrain, especially the Panama Canal, Gulf of America, and Greenland.”² While the 2025 National Defense Strategy was not as explicit in its nomenclature, both documents included the same striking statement: “This is the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.”³

The second Trump Administration marks a significant pivot in United States foreign policy, with a new focus on restoring American primacy in the Western Hemisphere. On January 3, 2026, the United States completed ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ a military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.⁴ The operation represented more than a confrontation with the Venezuelan government; it demonstrated the current administration’s willingness to use military strength to advance its interests in the region. 

Furthermore, throughout ‘Operation Southern Spear,’ initiated in 2025 and still ongoing, United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) conducted multiple strikes against alleged drug trafficking boats in international waters, justifying the strikes action by declaring individuals aboard these vessels “narco-terrorists.”⁵ In a press conference following one such strike, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth referred to these targeted boat crews as the “Al-Qaeda” of the Western Hemisphere.⁶ It should be noted that these offensive operations did raise domestic concerns surrounding American due process and the legality of lethal action in international waters. As Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) put it: “I’m deeply concerned about the authority our president seems to be asserting to summarily kill people suspected of criminal activity outside the law.”⁷

The United States military is presently enforcing a fuel blockade against vessels transporting to Cuba, and has threatened tariffs against countries and companies attempting to export oil; On October 2, 2026, the Coast Guard announced the interception of the Grace, a “dark fleet” ship bound for Cuba, with the cooperation of the Mexican government.⁸

Since President Trump’s return to office, national elections across Central and South America have also heavily favored right-wing parties and coalitions. While this change has been largely driven by domestic concerns, the Trump Administration has been known to endorse candidates and apply diplomatic pressure, possibly in a bid to expand American influence in the region.⁹

Lastly, of recent occurrence, the Greenland Security Deal was signed between the U.S., the Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland on September 22, 2026, resulting in the expansion of United States military access and its now permanent role in the security of Greenland and a framework for the restriction of foreign adversaries from establishing military and strategic presence on the island–one would not be mistaken in noting the deal’s striking resemblance to the principles of the Monroe Doctrine.¹⁰

What do these changes in United States military and political grand strategy represent? Under the current administration, the U.S. is clearly pursuing a reorientation of American power toward the Western Hemisphere, denying foreign rivals the ability to establish strategic access to the region. Two centuries after the first declaration, the Monroe Doctrine is once again an explicit tenet of American foreign policy, and appears here to stay.

1. “Office of the Historian. ‘The Monroe Doctrine, 1823.’ U.S. Department of State. Accessed September 30, 2026. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/monroe.” ↩︎
2. U.S. Department of Defense. 2026 National Defense Strategy of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Defense, 2026. https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-national-defense-strategy.pdf
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3. The White House. National Security Strategy of the United States of America. Washington, DC: The White House, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf
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4. U.S. Department of Defense. “This Week in DOW: Taking Down Maduro, Seizing Suspicious Vessels, Launching Arsenal Ships.” U.S. Department of Defense, 2026. https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4374940/this-week-in-dow-taking-down-maduro-seizing-suspicious-vessels-launching-arsena/
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5. Forbes Breaking News. “‘This Is The Al-Qaeda Of The Western Hemisphere’: Hegseth Denounces ‘Terrorist’ Drug Traffickers.” YouTube, accessed October 3, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lsoqIF4XLo
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6. Nitzberg, Alex. “Hegseth Blasts ‘Narco-Terrorists’ Targeted by Trump Admin as ‘the al Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere.’” Fox News, October 31, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hegseth-blasts-narco-terrorists-targeted-trump-admin-the-al-qaeda-western-hemisphere.
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7. Coons, Chris. “Senator Coons Pushes Attorney General Pam Bondi on Weaponizing the DOJ and Unconstitutional Boat Strikes in Fiery Hearing.” U.S. Senate, October 7, 2025. https://www.coons.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-coons-pushes-attorney-general-pam-bondi-on-weaponizing-the-doj-and-unconstitutional-boat-strikes-in-fiery-hearing ↩︎
8.  U.S. Coast Guard. “Coast Guard Intercepts Motor Vessel Grace, Continues Operations to Interdict Illicit Drug Trafficking.” U.S. Coast Guard, 2026. https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/4616594/coast-guard-intercepts-motor-vessel-grace-continues-operations-to-interdict-ill/
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9.  Trump, Donald J. “Truth Social post, November 2025.” Truth Social, accessed October 3, 2026. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115629335172411031
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10.  The White House. “Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark Together with the Government of Greenland.” September 22, 2026. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/09/agreement-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-government-of-the-kingdom-of-denmark-together-with-the-government-of-greenland-to-amend-and-supplement-the-agreement-of-27-apri/
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