Trump Taps Loyalist Heather Flick as RFK Jr.’s Chief of Staff Amid HHS Controversy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Donald Trump‘s transition team has selected Heather Flick, a former senior health official and Trump loyalist, to serve as chief of staff for Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary-nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr., according to a report published Monday. Flick, who previously held key roles in Trump’s first administration, has been working closely with Kennedy in recent weeks in an informal capacity.

Flick’s appointment, though not yet publicly announced, was confirmed by four sources familiar with the matter. The law firm where Flick currently works, as well as its founder, publicly congratulated her on social media this week. Fox News Digital reached out to the transition team for confirmation but did not receive a response before publication.

Flick’s selection underscores Trump’s reliance on loyalists for his second administration. During Trump’s first term, she served as HHS’ acting general counsel, acting secretary for administration, and a senior adviser to then-HHS Secretary Alex Azar. Before her initial HHS tenure, Flick worked at Dhillon Law Group, founded by Harmeet Dhillon, a prominent Trump ally and conservative attorney.

Dhillon, who has represented clients in high-profile conservative civil rights cases and defended Trump supporters, has been tapped to serve as assistant attorney general in Trump’s second term. She also co-chaired Lawyers For Trump during the 2020 election and led Trump’s election integrity team in Arizona during the 2024 campaign.

Flick’s appointment comes amid concerns from some of Kennedy’s allies that his agenda may diverge from Trump’s priorities. Politico reported that Kennedy has been meeting with lawmakers to build support for his nomination, though his controversial views on vaccines and abortion have drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

Critics have questioned Kennedy’s ability to handle major health crises, citing his past promotion of conspiracy theories about vaccines and antidepressants. Business leaders have also expressed concerns about his statements on food additives and pesticides. Flick will be tasked with helping Kennedy navigate these challenges.

“Heather Flick is outstanding and will most definitely help soon-to-be Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.,” former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn said in a post on X.

A former Food and Drug Administration official, speaking anonymously, told Politico that an effective chief of staff can play a significant role in high-profile matters. “On really high-profile things, if she’s an effective chief of staff, she could be super involved,” the official said. “I certainly saw that happen across multiple administrations.”