(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is breaking with the Trump administration on two fronts — a warning about Tylenol and the government’s role in what Americans see on TV.
Speaking on CNN’s Inside Politics, Thune pushed back after President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested pregnant women should avoid Tylenol because of a supposed autism risk. CNN noted the claim is not supported by science.
Thune, who became a grandfather again seven months ago, said he took the issue personally. “I think that science ought to guide these discussions,” he said. “We ought to be very guarded in making broad assertions and make sure they are well-grounded in science and medicine.”
He added that Kennedy, as HHS secretary, must work to restore public trust. Thune said Senate hearings would give lawmakers a chance to question Kennedy and make sure decisions are rooted in medical evidence.
According to Politico, Thune also stressed that many doctors disagree with the administration’s warning. “There are an awful lot of people in the medical community who come to a different conclusion about the use of Tylenol,” he said.
Politico reported Thune went further, criticizing the White House for leaning on broadcasters after ABC briefly pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from the air. Nexstar and Sinclair stations had preempted the show before it returned Tuesday.
Thune said the “coercive use of government” in programming decisions crossed a line. “As a general matter, my view is that the government ought not be in the business of trying to decide what people can and cannot say,” he said, according to Politico’s account of the CNN interview.
The South Dakota Republican has been in the Senate since 2005 and rose to majority leader earlier this year. Politico reported his comments as a rare split from Trump on both public health and free speech.
