Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Eugene

(65,167 posts)
Thu May 15, 2025, 12:41 PM May 15

Pesticides: RFK Jr.'s New Crusade Is Freaking Out White House Aides

Source: The Daily Beast

RFK Jr.’s New Crusade Is Freaking Out White House Aides

Top Trump aides are reportedly on edge ahead of an expected May 22 report to “Make America Healthy Again.”

Isabel van Brugen
Freelance Writer

Published May 14 2025 11:49AM EDT

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s war on pesticides is alarming White House and federal agency officials, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Top aides are reportedly on edge ahead of an expected May 22 report to “Make America Healthy Again” from Kennedy, who was confirmed in January as President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of health and human services.

People familiar with the matter told the Journal that the report will spotlight what Kennedy believes is the “deleterious impact of pesticides” on health. Targets include glyphosate—the active ingredient in Roundup, the world’s most widely used weedkiller—and atrazine, a herbicide commonly sprayed on corn and grasses.

Government officials worry Kennedy’s push to link pesticides to U.S. health issues could disrupt the nation’s food supply chain, according to the Journal.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.thedailybeast.com/rfk-jrs-new-crusade-is-freaking-out-white-house-aides/

Alternate link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/rfk-jr-crusade-freaking-white-154932726.html

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pesticides: RFK Jr.'s New Crusade Is Freaking Out White House Aides (Original Post) Eugene May 15 OP
Maybe his "report" will be silenced newdeal2 May 15 #1
He's nuts. milestogo May 15 #2
Speaking of nuts, Abolishinist May 15 #7
Trump defending the benefits of pesticides should be epic. bucolic_frolic May 15 #3
But we in America love our pesticide-laden foods! Diamond_Dog May 15 #4
I love this for them ;) LauraInLA May 15 #5
Y'all own him now. tanyev May 15 #6

Abolishinist

(2,536 posts)
7. Speaking of nuts,
Thu May 15, 2025, 01:44 PM
May 15

this prompted me to check out almonds, which I use on a daily basis. I was a bit surprised by what I found.

Amonds are heavily sprayed with pesticides, particularly in non-organic farming practices. The top five pesticides used in California almond orchards are Ziram, Oryzalin, Glyphosate, Paraquat Dichloride, and Clarified Hydrochloric Extract. Glyphosate, a common herbicide, is used on over 80% of non-organic almonds.

Additionally, a fumigant called propylene oxide is used to sterilize non-organic crops. Glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup, is a common weedkiller used in non-organic almond orchards, and research shows that over 80% of non-organic almonds are treated with it.

I usually buy organic, but in the future it will be 100%.

bucolic_frolic

(50,505 posts)
3. Trump defending the benefits of pesticides should be epic.
Thu May 15, 2025, 12:48 PM
May 15

Did Trump have any idea what he was signing on to?

Diamond_Dog

(37,112 posts)
4. But we in America love our pesticide-laden foods!
Thu May 15, 2025, 01:27 PM
May 15


This is one thing I agree on with Worm Brain.
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Pesticides: RFK Jr.'s New...