Environmental groups are strongly opposing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential bid and environmental policy, fearing that his candidacy could lead to the reelection of former President Donald Trump. The Natural Resources Defense Council, where Kennedy previously worked as a senior attorney for nearly three decades, is running a full-page ad in newspapers in battleground states urging him to drop out of the race to prevent him from being a spoiler for Trump. The group views Trump as the worst environmental president in U.S. history and believes that Kennedy’s candidacy will only benefit him.
Kennedy is being urged to reconsider his candidacy by former colleagues and board members of the NRDC Action Fund, who believe that his campaign is driven by vanity and could harm the planet. The ad accuses Kennedy of playing the role of an election spoiler to the advantage of Trump, and the group is calling on him to honor the planet and withdraw from the race. The ad is set to run in newspapers in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina in an effort to raise awareness about the potential consequences of Kennedy’s candidacy.
In addition to the NRDC’s efforts, a coalition of twelve environmental organizations has issued an open letter criticizing Kennedy’s climate proposals and labeling him a dangerous conspiracy theorist and science denier. The letter warns that Kennedy’s agenda could result in the complete erosion of important environmental and social progress that has been made so far. These organizations are urging voters to reject Kennedy’s views on climate and prevent his candidacy from aiding Trump in securing re-election and undoing important environmental achievements.
Kennedy, however, has defended his environmental credentials and vowed to be the best environmental president in American history. Despite his past work with environmental groups, his positions on climate policy have sparked significant backlash within the environmental community. Kennedy has raised concerns about the Biden administration’s environmental policies, criticizing the Inflation Reduction Act and accusing Trump of rolling back environmental regulations. He has also refuted claims that his candidacy would assist Trump in defeating Biden, asserting that President Biden does not need his help to lose to Trump.
The environmental groups’ actions have been reported by The New York Times, highlighting the growing opposition to Kennedy’s presidential bid and his environmental policy. Despite his assertions of being a strong environmental advocate, Kennedy faces increasing scrutiny and condemnation from former colleagues and environmental organizations. The debate over Kennedy’s candidacy reflects broader concerns within the environmental community about the potential consequences of his campaign and its impact on environmental progress and climate policy in the United States. As the presidential race continues, the rift between Kennedy and environmental groups is likely to intensify, raising important questions about the intersection of politics and environmental advocacy.
