Cabinet members retract pre-confirmation vows

WASHINGTON – During the confirmation process for President Donald Trump’s appointees, several nominees made commitments that have shifted since they assumed their positions. This includes leadership decisions within the FBI, vaccine policy reassessments, and varying stance on sanctions against Russia. Requests for comments from relevant agencies have not been answered as of Monday afternoon.

**Kash Patel as FBI Director**
**Initial Position**: Before his appointment as the FBI Director, Kash Patel expressed his belief that the role of the FBI’s No. 2 should traditionally be occupied by a career agent. This was communicated to Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association. Bara mentioned in an internal newsletter dated February 23, that Patel agreed in a meeting that the Deputy Director position “should continue to be an on-board, active Special Agent,” citing it as a long-standing tradition for 117 years.
**Current Action**: Despite his earlier stance, Patel endorsed President Trump’s choice to appoint Dan Bongino, a former Secret Service agent known for his conservative punditry, as the new Deputy Director of the FBI. Patel praised this decision on social media, highlighting Bongino’s leadership qualities and commitment to justice, which he believes are crucial for the FBI’s future.

**Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services**
**Initial Position**: During his Senate confirmation discussions, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. assured Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., that the current vaccinations schedule for children would remain unchanged. On January 30, Kennedy asserted his support for the CDC’s existing vaccination protocol.
**Current Action**: Speaking to Health and Human Services (HHS) employees on February 18, Kennedy expressed intentions to scrutinize the childhood vaccine schedule, hinting that nothing is exempt from review. His investigations will extend to various elements such as pesticides, food additives, microplastics, antidepressants, and electromagnetic waves emitted by electronics like cellphones.

**Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary**
**Initial Position**: Scott Bessent presented a hardline approach to Russian sanctions during his confirmation, advocating for stricter measures than the prior administration, which he accused of being hesitant due to election concerns regarding oil prices.
**Current Action**: Adapting to changes in President Trump’s foreign policy tone, Bessent stated that the administration might adjust Russian sanctions in accordance with Russia’s willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict. He outlined the United States’ preparation to either increase or ease sanctions, emphasizing a swift resolution to the situation.

**Brooke Rollins as Agriculture Secretary**
**Initial Position**: Brooke Rollins identified preventing the spread of avian flu as one of her top priorities during her confirmation. She promised to form a capable team to ensure effective disease control.
**Current Action**: On February 14, Rollins announced a collaboration with the Department of Government Efficiency to the USDA workforce. Shortly thereafter, the department urgently re-recruited personnel previously involved in controlling the avian flu outbreak, which had severely impacted poultry farms in recent years. These employees had been laid off following recommendations from previous governmental efficiency reviews.