Resistance to Public Health, No Longer Fringe, Gains Foothold in G.O.P. Politics

The merger of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald J. Trump campaigns puts the so-called medical freedom movement on the cusp of real power in Washington, with a new slogan: “Make America Healthy Again.”

Resistance to public health, relegated to the fringes of the American right and left before Covid vaccine mandates became a cultural flashpoint and a symbol of government overreach, now has a firm foothold in Republican politics — and a chance to wield real power in Washington.

The merger of the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald J. Trump presidential campaigns has put the movement’s most prominent leader within reach of a White House job or federal health position. Around the country, nearly 1,000 candidates, nearly all Republican, are seeking office with the backing of Stand for Health Freedom, a Florida nonprofit.

Now, the remnants of Mr. Kennedy’s campaign apparatus are organizing their efforts around Mr. Trump’s presidential bid. On Monday, former Kennedy campaign officials unveiled a new super PAC, The MAHA Alliance, led by Del Bigtree, Mr. Kennedy’s former communications director, and Brigid Rasmussen, his former chief of staff.

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