President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has selected Heather Flick, a former senior health official from Trump's first administration, to serve as the chief of staff for Health and Human Services Secretary-nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Flick, a lawyer who previously held key roles at the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department during the first Trump administration, has been informally working with Kennedy and has now been chosen by the transition team to fill the role permanently.
The law firm where Flick currently works, as well as its founder, have publicly congratulated her on the new position. Flick's appointment is part of a trend of Trump loyalists being appointed to key positions in the administration during his second term.
Prior to her role at HHS, Flick was an attorney at Dhillon Law Group, a firm founded by a top Trump ally, Harmeet Dhillon, who has been selected to be the assistant attorney general in Trump's second administration. Dhillon has a history of representing clients in conservative civil rights cases and supporting Trump throughout various legal challenges.
There have been concerns raised by some of Kennedy's allies that his agenda may not entirely align with the Trump administration's priorities. Kennedy has been meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to garner support, with both Democrats and Republicans expressing criticism over his views on vaccines and abortion.
Critics of Kennedy have questioned his ability to handle crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and have raised concerns about his stance on vaccines, antidepressants, and other health-related issues. Flick's role as chief of staff will involve addressing these criticisms and supporting Kennedy in his new position.
Former officials have noted that the chief of staff for the HHS Secretary can play a significant role in the agency's work, particularly on high-profile matters. Flick's effectiveness in this role could have a substantial impact on how smoothly the department operates under Kennedy's leadership.
