Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. flew a military jet to campaign for Republican candidates in Iowa ahead of the midterms.
Kennedy was given access to military aircraft for travel across the country, including as part of the GOP’s push before the November midterms, The Washington Post reported on Thursday.
The White House and lawyers for the Department of Health and Human Services signed off on the plan to let Kennedy use the jets, five people told The Post. Several insiders said the use of military aircraft has been infrequent because of the added cost, and that protocols exist to determine when a government plane is warranted.
An Air Force-operated Gulfstream jet flew on August 17 from the Washington area to Des Moines and arrived hours before Kennedy’s first event in the state, according to The Post. The Defense Department charges roughly $9,000 an hour for that Gulfstream. By comparison, a commercial flight between Washington and Des Moines runs about $250 under a government program meant to cut the cost of federal workers’ air travel, The Post added.
Health officials argued that Kennedy sometimes needs the flights given his schedule, his public profile, his protective detail, and threats he has faced, The Post reported. He has been flanked by protective services and by longtime aide Stefanie Spear on trips using military aircraft.
While in Iowa, Kennedy joined GOP candidates, including Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), who is seeking reelection, and MAGA businessman Zach Lahn, who is running for governor. Both face contested races, according to the Cook Political Report.
The arrangement marks a sharp break from Trump’s first term, when he pushed out his first health secretary, Tom Price, over reports that Price relied on private jets for routine travel.
Kennedy’s use of the jets has drawn some internal questions, The Post reported. Chris Klomp, a top HHS official Trump has nominated as deputy secretary, questioned whether a government jet was necessary in at least one case, three anonymous sources told The Post. Kennedy agreed and opted not to use one.
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